Everton have reportedly made initial contacts over a January move for Kevin De Bruyne, but the real issue is whether Napoli would even consider letting him go mid-season. He is under contract until June 2027, with one report saying the club also hold an option to extend it by another year. On top of that, Napoli are 10th in Serie A and 27th in the Champions League after four matches.

Napoli's stance and contract position

Roberto Carlos Sosa, the former Napoli striker, told sportsmole.co.uk that "the spark never really ignited" in his assessment of De Bruyne's spell in Italy. That view helps explain why the exit chatter has started, but it does not mean Napoli are ready to sell. The club's position is still the key obstacle, and TEAMtalk reported that De Bruyne is "highly unlikely" to join Everton in January.

The contract detail matters because it gives Napoli leverage. A player tied down until 2027 is not a simple mid-season buy, especially when the club are still fighting on two fronts.

What De Bruyne is still offering

The argument for Everton is that this is not a player who has disappeared from the frame. De Bruyne has played in all 15 Napoli games across Serie A and the Champions League this term, scoring four goals and adding two assists in reporting from SportsMole and CaughtOffside. The broader stat line is messy across outlets, with different reports on his output, but the common thread is that he is still involved.

SportsMole's numbers are steadier at league level. De Bruyne has made 10 Serie A appearances and scored 3 goals, while Napoli's recent league form has also been mixed, including a 1-1 draw with Lazio, a 4-1 loss at FC Porto and a 2-0 loss at Juventus in their last five matches. That is the kind of run that can tempt clubs into checking whether a deal might be possible, especially if they are already sitting 6th in the Premier League.

TEAMtalk's line still cuts through the noise. It said the "Manchester City legend" is highly unlikely to join the Toffees in January, and that is probably the most grounded way to read this story right now. Everton can admire the fit, but admiration is not the same as a deal, and Napoli's contract position gives them every reason to dig in.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 5 outlets. How we work →