De Bruyne willing to take a pay cut to join Napoli from Man City

Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne is edging closer to a major decision about his future.

Rather than heading to Major League Soccer or remaining in England, Sacha Tavolieri reports that the Belgian is seriously considering a move to Napoli, even if it means taking a pay cut.

The 33-year-old is set to leave the Etihad Stadium when his contract runs out at the end of the season, so his next destination has been a major talking point.

A lot of clubs have thrown their hats in the ring, including Premier League overachievers Aston Villa, but De Bruyne seems to have his heart set on a move to Italy.

The Belgian hasn’t made a definitive decision yet.

He’s evaluating the next chapter of his illustrious career, but the challenge of playing in Serie A and the lifestyle Italy offers are appealing to the midfielder.

De Bruyne is convinced he still has plenty to offer at the highest level, and Napoli’s project is an appealing option.

A move to Napoli will also reunite De Bruyne with his international teammate Romelu Lukaku.

He has held conversations with both Lukaku and Dries Mertens, who is also a close friend, and those talks have boosted his willingness to join Napoli.

Napoli’s sporting director, Giovani Manna, recently met with De Bruyne’s representatives to outline a proposal that includes a two-year contract with the option of a third.

The Serie A powerhouse don’t have the financial capacity to match his current €20 million annual salary. They can only offer a package worth around €7m per year, which will be padded by bonuses.

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Thanks to Italy’s favourable tax laws for foreign players, Napoli’s proposal could come close to De Bruyne’s current net income.

De Bruyne seems to be satisfied by the terms, but his camp are still pushing for a three-year deal rather than Napoli’s formula.

He’s eager to get it sorted out before his summer break so that he can start pre-season with his new club.