Can Lee Kang-in (24, Paris Saint-Germain) team up with Kevin De Bruyne?
Italy's Serie A Napoli announced on the 13th (Korea time) through their official social media, "We have signed Kevin De Bruyne from Manchester City as a free agent (FA)." It added, "He will leave Manchester City and play for Napoli in a two-year agreement." They officially confirmed his signing.
The previous day, Italy's 'Corriere della Sera' reported, "De Bruyne underwent a medical test for his transfer. Today is De Bruyne's day. Napoli welcomes a champion, one of the most important signings in club history." It was noted, "He arrived at Rome's Fiumicino Airport in the morning. Then, he moved to Villa Stuart to undergo a TES."
According to reports, De Bruyne will receive a total of 26 million euros (about 40.7 billion won) over three seasons, with a contract for two years and an option to extend for one year. His family has already prepared to live in Napoli.
Corriere della Sera noted, "De Bruyne's wife, Michele Lacroix, has already found a house in Posillipo. The couple plans to move there with their three children. They got married in 2017 in Sorrento, Italy." It added, "The transfer market in Napoli does not stop. The next target is AC Milan midfielder Yunus Musah."
As De Bruyne arrived by private jet, Napoli fans were literally ecstatic. 'Corriere dello Sport' reported, "As De Bruyne was leaving the airport, he was trapped among the crowd," noting that many fans had gathered. Even the police had to be dispatched.
The media explained, "Police were dispatched to calm the excitement of the numerous Napoli fans waiting for De Bruyne at Villa Stuart. Hundreds of fans were awaiting De Bruyne's arrival," stating, "De Bruyne was touched by the warm welcome."
De Bruyne is one of the legends in Premier League history beyond Manchester City. After joining Manchester City in 2015, he has recorded six Premier League titles, one UEFA Champions League (UCL) title, two FA Cup titles, and five English Football League Cup (EFL Cup) titles. His career statistics include 422 matches with 108 goals and 177 assists.
However, De Bruyne's ten-year journey with Manchester City also came to an end this summer. He played his farewell match for Manchester City in the game against Fulham on the 26th of last month. De Bruyne was substituted in the 40th minute of the second half and bid farewell to the fans. He stated that he would not participate in the club World Cup in June, making this match his last.
De Bruyne's next destination has attracted the attention of many fans. It has been reported that Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States and the Saudi Arabian Professional League, as well as big European leagues, have shown interest in him. De Bruyne mentioned that he would discuss with his family, keeping open the possibility of remaining in the Premier League, but he ultimately donned the Napoli jersey.
Napoli, under coach Conte, aims for a second consecutive Serie A title alongside De Bruyne. The club topped Italy under the newly appointed coach Conte in the 2024-2025 season. They finished 10th in the previous season but boasted a significantly transformed appearance and reclaimed the Scudetto for the first time in two years since the 2022-2023 season, when Kim Min-jae played.
Meanwhile, with the signing of De Bruyne, Napoli has promised to take aggressive action in the transfer market. Although coach Conte was rumored to be leaving for Juventus immediately after the championship, Aurelio De Laurentiis, the club president, personally held a meeting to ensure his stay. President De Laurentiis is reported to have promised significant investment to coach Conte.
In addition to De Bruyne, Napoli is also looking for another attacking midfielder, Lee Kang-in. Over the past year, Napoli has attempted to sign Lee Kang-in on two occasions but was rejected both times by Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). However, this summer transfer market, PSG is highly likely to release Lee Kang-in.
Earlier, the Italian media 'Spazio Napoli' reported on the 10th that "Napoli reached a principled agreement with PSG regarding the transfer of Lee Kang-in." Some media outlets have claimed that this has progressed beyond mere interest and reached the stage of a transfer agreement. Initially, PSG wanted a transfer fee of 40 million euros (about 62.5 billion won), but it is reported that they accepted Napoli's offer between 30 million euros (about 46.8 billion won) and 35 million euros (about 54.6 billion won).
For Lee Kang-in, joining PSG, where competition for a starting spot is relatively easier, also provides an opportunity to watch and learn from the legend De Bruyne, taking time to assert himself as his successor. Lee Kang-in, after the match against Kuwait (4-0 win), humorously remarked, "I also see the transfer news on TV; it’s a situation we need to keep an eye on."
It remains to be seen whether Lee Kang-in can join Napoli, where De Bruyne is, and write a new chapter of success.
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