Kevin De Bruyne has told Antonio Conte to bring his former Manchester City teammate Jack Grealish to Napoli in a potential transfer blow to Manchester United.
De Bruyne’s move to Serie A champions Napoli was confirmed earlier this month following the Belgian’s exit from Manchester City.
The 33-year-old established himself as one of the greatest midfielders in Premier League history during his decade-long spell at the Etihad Stadium.
Despite already signing Man City legend De Bruyne, Napoli have expressed interest in signing a number of other Premier League stars this summer.
Conte is keen to strengthen his squad to boost Napoli’s chances of defending the Serie A title and competing in the Champions League.
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Manchester City’s Grealish and Manchester United’s Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho have all emerged as targets for the Italian club.
Sancho and Garnacho are believed to be keen on move to Naples after being deemed surplus to requirements by Old Trafford boss Ruben Amorim.
Ex-Chelsea loanee Sancho was hoping to earn a permanent move to Stamford Bridge but the Blues instead paid £5m in compensation to send him back to United.
Garnacho has also been linked with Chelsea after being put up for sale by decision-makers at Manchester United.
But Napoli are only expected to sign one of Sancho, Garnacho or Grealish and De Bruyne is making the case for his old teammate.
According to The Sun, Conte has been asking De Bruyne about Grealish’s credentials and has received a glowing reference from the Belgium international.
Man City spent a record-breaking £100m to sign Grealish from Aston Villa in 2021 but the 29-year-old is expected to leave following a frustrating 2024-25 campaign.
Grealish struggled for game-time under Pep Guardiola and was then left out of Manchester City’s Club World Cup squad.
Tottenham are believed to be the current favourites to sign Grealish but De Bruyne is doing everything he can to bring him to Naples.
Grealish accepts a move is necessary to revive his career and boost his chances of being included in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for next summer’s World Cup.
Asked about Grealish’s future at the Etihad Stadium last week, Guardiola said: ‘He had a conversation with the club and [we] decided [what was for] the best.
‘Jack is an exceptional player. The only reason why he didn’t play last season is of course my decision. We decide that he has to play. The club was honest, he was honest.
‘Incredible love and respect [for him] and we decide the best is to stay [behind] and have a place [at home] that he can feel like he can come back to be the player like he was in the year of the treble or all his career in Aston Villa.
‘Without him it would have been more difficult in the year of the treble [2022-2023]. The fact is in the last two seasons he didn’t play much minutes.
‘He has to come back to play and have the butterflies in his stomach that he can play every three days and show again the quality he has.’
Asked if believed Grealish’s future lied away from Man City, Guardiola added: ‘I don’t know.
‘Now we decide don’t come here and what happens I don’t know in the end. If we don’t find [another solution], he’s a player for Man City and he will be back.’
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