Liverpool made a surprise bid to sign Kevin De Bruyne after he left Manchester City in the summer transfer window.
The Belgian midfielder’s decade-long spell at Eastlands came to end this past season after the club decided to let his contract run out.
De Bruyne opened the door to joining another Premier League club, but ultimately decided to link up with Antonio Conte at Napoli.
Liverpool among five clubs who tried to sign Kevin De Bruyne
Liverpool threw their hat in the ring to sign De Bruyne as a free agent, holding a “short conversation” with the 33-year-old, according to The Athletic.
Juventus also made a “casual enquiry”, while Inter Milan could not act on their interest as there is no space in their squad.
Chicago Fire were more serious contenders to land De Bruyne and his final decision was between the MLS outfit and Napoli.
De Bruyne “leaned more towards” a move to Chicago at times, but he was swayed by figures from the Partenopei, such as Romelu Lukaku, to join the Serie A champions.
The six-time Premier League winner was also lured by the prospect of Champions League football and playing under head coach Conte. Interestingly, the report claims he was “partly motivated” to prove Man City wrong for letting him go.
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De Bruyne announced in April that he would be leaving at the end of the 2024/25 campaign. “I’ll get straight to it and let you all know that these will be my final months as a Manchester City player,” he posted on social media.
“Nothing about this is easy to write, but as football players, we all know this day eventually comes. That day is here – and you deserve to hear it from me first.
“Football led me to all of you – and to this city. Chasing my dream, not knowing this period would change my life.
“This city. This club. These people … gave me EVERYTHING. I had no choice but to give EVERYTHING back! And guess what – we won EVERYTHING.
“Whether we like it or not, it’s time to say goodbye.”
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