Kevin De Bruyne will delay any decision on his Napoli future until after the World Cup, with the Belgium midfielder set to hold decisive talks with incoming coach Massimiliano Allegri once his tournament campaign concludes.
De Bruyne wants to understand Allegri’s vision for the club before committing to a second season in Serie A, according to Corriere dello Sport. Allegri, who is preparing to take charge at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, regards the 33-year-old as a key part of his plans and is unwilling to sanction his departure.
The midfielder’s debut campaign in Naples was heavily compromised by a serious hamstring injury that limited his involvement and prevented supporters from seeing him at his best. That medical history has shaped the club’s patient approach to the current situation, with Napoli showing no urgency to force an exit before both parties have had the chance to assess what the next chapter could look like.
De Bruyne is currently in the United States with Belgium, who have underwhelmed at the tournament so far. Once the Red Devils’ participation ends, the face-to-face meeting with Allegri will take place.
There are significant grounds for optimism that the relationship will continue. The club has no desire to push the player out, and all three parties—the board, Allegri and De Bruyne—appear to be pointing in the same direction. However, the formal conversation remains essential to map out the direction of the new project.
The anticipated discussion is expected to prove decisive in determining whether De Bruyne remains part of the squad rebuild. While the Belgian is reportedly open to staying, he seeks clarity on the sporting project and his role within it before making a final commitment.