Kevin De Bruyne was reportedly wanted by two Premier League clubs before he opted to join the newly crowned Italian champions Napoli.
De Bruyne made his final Premier League appearance for Manchester City at Fulham on Sunday after a glittering 10-year spell, having won six Premier League titles and the Champions League at the club.
The 33-year-old had revealed last month that Man City, who will honour him with a statue, would not be renewing his contract.
De Bruyne looks poised to complete a move to Napoli, with the club’s president Aurelio De Laurentiis revealing the Belgian has bought a villa in Italy.
He appears to have snubbed a offer from MLS side Chicago Fire, while two Premier League clubs were reportedly interested.
According to talkSPORT, West Ham made contact with De Bruyne’s representatives over an ambitious move to try to convince the star to stay in the top flight.
Outgoing Man City star Kevin De Bruyne was reportedly wanted by two Premier League clubs
West Ham and Aston Villa were claimed to have been interested in signing the veteran
The report claims Aston Villa had also considered making an approach for the veteran midfielder.
De Bruyne had left the door open to remaining in the Premier League last month as he considered his options, after it was revealed he would not be given a new deal.
‘Whatever project is available, I’m willing to listen. I love football. I love to play football and if a a nice projects comes, and my family is good with that then we are able to make a decision,’ De Bruyne said.
Asked if would be willing to remain in England, De Bruyne responded: ‘I don’t know. It could be not. It’s very hard because the decision of leaving is not been long so nothing can be decided in a week.’
De Bruyne looks to have snubbed Premier League interest to move to Serie A, while he would also play in the Champions League with Napoli.
The Italian giants held a parade on Monday to celebrate clinching their second Serie A title in three years, spear-headed by former Premier League favourites Scott McTominay, Romelu Lukaku and Antonio Conte.
During the parade, De Laurentiis revealed he had spoken to De Bruyne in the morning ahead of his expected move and said the Belgian has already bought a villa in Italy.
‘Will he get to lift this cup too? Probably yes,’ De Laurentiis told Italian broadcaster RAI.
Aurelio De Laurentiis revealed De Bruyne has bought a villa in Italy ahead of his free transfer
De Bruyne waved goodbye to Man City after a glittering decade long spell at the club
‘I know that he’s sorted a few things already and I believe he’s already bought a beautiful villa.
‘This morning I was on a video call with him, his wife and his nine-year-old son and it was a beautiful sight.’
When asked if his comments could be considered as confirmation of De Bruyne’s arrival, De Laurentiis responded ‘Not yet. Until it’s in black and white, there will be no confirmation.’
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De Bruyne’s wife Michele Lacroix, who he married in Naples in 2017, was reported to have then visited the city recently to search for apartments.
Reports suggested Napoli, who look to have seen off MLS side Chicago Fire to sign De Bruyne, had offered him a two-year contract with an option to extend for a further season.
According to Italian outlet Gazzetta Dello Sport, De Bruyne could reportedly earn up to €25million (£21m) from the deal.
The newspaper claims De Bruyne will received an initial €10m (£8m) signing bonus, before securing €5.5m (£4.6m) per season, with performance-based add-ons potentially increasing that salary.
