A serious 'what if': Napoli were eager to sign Neymar before turning to KDB
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Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 09.10.25. | 18:09
The latest reports in Italy claim that the Partenopei made serious attempts to sign mercurial Brazil legend
Neymar and Rasmus Hojlund paired up in the attacking line, you say? That could have been some interesting match-up, and - as things stand - it was not that far from turning into reality.
According to the latest reports from Italy, Napoli made some "serious attempts" to sign the 33-year-old Neymar before settling with Kevin De Bruyne earlier this year.
As per La Gazzetta dello Sport, Napoli had made genuine plans to strike a deal for Neymar, who had been available as a free agent at the beginning of the year.
The former Barcelona and PSG star was under contract with Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal at the time, but he terminated that deal at the end of January before ultimately returning to his boyhood club, Santos.
La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that Partenopei owner Aurelio De Laurentiis, sporting director Giovanni Manna, and head coach Antonio Conte were all on board with the idea of signing Neymar.
That was, however, until the opportunity to sign De Bruyne arose.
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In the end, Napoli decided to go with the remarkable Belgium midfielder, who was available on a free transfer after the end of his decade-long tenure with Manchester City.
The 34-year-old has started in five out of six Serie A matches this season, scoring three goals and adding two assists from his two appearances in the Champions League this term.
KDB has been doing so well that a restaurant in Naples proudly unveiled a pizza bearing his initials. Moreover, in Sorrento, a gelateria released a new flavour of ice cream: Kevin De Brownie.
Last but not least, maybe the most important and symbolic, at the club's training centre in Castel Volturno, De Bruyne was gifted with a number 10 shirt to wear in practice - previously retired in honour of the one and only Diego Maradona! In Naples, that means you're literally the king. What would have happened if Neymar arrived instead? Well, we'll never know.
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