Kevin De Bruyne close to Napoli move as Man City contract expires

Kevin De Bruyne is reportedly close to finalising a move to Napoli following his Manchester City departure at the end of the season.

The Belgian midfielder will become a free agent when his contract expires on June 30 and has been weighing up offers from several clubs.

Major League Soccer club Chicago Fire were serious contenders. However, Napoli are expected to secure his services.

The 33-year-old is nearing agreement on a three-year deal with the Serie A champions.

The contract will pay €6 million per year for the first two seasons, dropping to €5m in the third. De Bruyne is also set to receive a €10m signing-on bonus due to his free-agent status.

The salary package represents a major reduction from his Man City wages, where he earned around £400,000 per week.

Sources close to the player say De Bruyne is eager to prove he can still perform at the highest level in European football.

Lifestyle considerations have also influenced his decision, with his wedding having taken place in Sorrento, near Naples.

Although De Bruyne admitted earlier this month that leaving City was not entirely his choice, he is now focused on the next chapter.

He received an emotional farewell from supporters after his final home appearance in City’s 3-1 win over Bournemouth.

De Bruyne is set to play his final match for the club on Sunday, when City visit Fulham in their last game of the season.

A point would guarantee Champions League football for next season, a goal the veteran playmaker has stressed as vital.

An official announcement of the deal is expected in the days following the Premier League finale. Only the final details remain before the move is made public.

Napoli, who secured the Serie A title for the second time in three years last night, are preparing for another Champions League campaign.

After nearly a decade of success in Manchester, the Belgian maestro is ready for a fresh challenge on the Italian coast.