Kevin De Bruyne insists that he did not try to leave Napoli during the summer transfer window but admits that it’s been a ‘rough start’ under Massimiliano Allegri: ‘Details are the difference between our seven points and the 10 or 11 we might’ve deserved’.

Napoli are off to their worst Serie A start in 10 years after picking up just seven points from their first five games of the 2026-27 season. Reports in Italy on Tuesday claim that things are starting to look rather unpleasant behind the scenes at the Stadio Maradona as well.

FLORENCE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 20: Massimiliano Allegri manager of SSC Napoli looks on during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and SSC Napoli at Stadio Artemio Franchi on September 20, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

There have been suggestions that Allegri is disappointed in what he has seen from De Bruyne, who had also fallen out with Antonio Conte prior to his Napoli departure at the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

At the end of the 2025-26 season, De Bruyne missed five months of that campaign through injury, there had been reports that the Belgian was looking to leave and that he had plenty of options in MLS.

NAPLES, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 09: Kevin De Bruyne of SSC Napoli during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between SSC Napoli and Arsenal FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on September 09, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)

But, despite the recent media chatter and the rumours that he was not enjoying life under Conte last season, De Bruyne still insists that he has not tried to leave Napoli.

Asked if there was any truth to the rumours that he had sought a move away in the summer during a press conference with the Belgium national team on Tuesday, De Bruyne said: “No, I haven’t really spoken to anyone about it. I just enjoyed my holidays and went straight back to Naples.”