Napoli Transfer Market: On the Night of the Centennial, Hamsik’s Assist Helps Keep Kevin De Bruyne

Napoli Transfer News: Kevin De Bruyne and the club seem to have hit rock bottom in their relationship, though the club is hoping for a positive turnaround. The big opportunity seemed to arrive on the evening of August 1, when Piazza del Plebiscito hosted the celebration marking the 100th anniversary of the Neapolitan club’s founding. And it was a club legend like Marek Hamsik who provided yet another assist in the club’s history at the foot of Mount Vesuvius.

From the stage in Piazza del Plebiscito, at a moment when a far-from-enthusiastic De Bruyne stood right beside him, Hamsik answered a very direct question from host Serena Autieri: “Marek, what did you think the first time you saw Kevin in the blue jersey?” The Slovakian’s response could have a significant impact on Napoli’s future transfer market: “For me, Kevin is a world-class player, one of the strongest attacking midfielders of this century. Napoli should enjoy having a champion like him. Congratulations”. At these words, the Belgian shyly lowered his gaze while the audience applauded.

“Let’s just leave it at that, vague,” concluded the Neapolitan actress, before Alessandro Siani broke the awkward silence by asking the former Manchester City midfielder for “one word, just one.” The subsequent “Tutt’appost,” uttered by an initially hesitant De Bruyne, brought a smile to his face—one that finally seemed genuine and liberating. Who knows if it will be decisive in convincing him to relaunch his career at Napoli under the new management led by Massimiliano Allegri.

The centennial celebration also featured club president Aurelio De Laurentiis. Speaking to ‘Rai TGR Campania,’ the Napoli chairman strongly reiterated his determination to pursue the major goal that has eluded his twenty-year tenure: the Champions League. “I’ve been here for over twenty years, and the only thing missing is the Champions League—who knows if Allegri will bring it to us,” declared De Laurentiis, whose message to the new coach is anything but cryptic. “It’s always a goal, especially if your name is Napoli: we’re the only Italian team to have played in Europe for sixteen consecutive seasons.” These words also sound like an implicit invitation to De Bruyne to play his part in this project.

The context, after all, is that of a club celebrating 100 years of history with very specific ambitions. Founded on August 1, 1926, as Associazione Calcio Napoli, carrying on the legacy of Foot-Ball Club Internazionale-Naples, Napoli has competed in 84 seasons in the top flight, winning four Scudetti, the most recent of which came in the 2024–25 season. In Europe, the Neapolitans have participated in 12 editions of the Champions League, with their best result being the quarterfinals reached in 2022–2023: a milestone that De Laurentiis clearly wants to surpass.

The De Bruyne situation, however, remains complicated. Just a few days ago, sporting director Giovanni Manna addressed the issue at a press conference from the team’s training camp in Dimaro-Folgarida, using language that was anything but conciliatory: “De Bruyne doesn’t have to make any decision; he signed for two years plus an option. He got injured last year, and while he was here, he was useful. I don’t see any need to speculate on what he’ll decide. When they sign, they sign; then the club decides what to do.” This was a direct reference to statements made by the Belgian at the end of last season, when the former Manchester City star publicly attacked Antonio Conte, declaring himself happy about Conte’s departure and complaining that he wasn’t being used in a way that suited his strengths.

Manna then added: “We’re still dealing with the fallout; personally, I certainly didn’t appreciate his comments, but we’ll talk about it—no problem. He’s part of the project; there’s nothing to decide.” De Bruyne, fresh off the 2026 World Cup, is expected at training camp in early August, just as the atmosphere surrounding him seems poised to finally turn a new page. The centennial celebration, with Hamsik’s blessing and the warmth of Piazza del Plebiscito, could prove to be the true turning point in a story yet to be written.