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Kevin De Bruyne held 'talks' with shock Premier League side before joining Napoli on free transfer as Man City legend looks to prove doubters wrong after being refused new deal

Kevin De Bruyne held talks with one of Manchester City's bitterest Premier League rivals before joining Napoli on a free, a bombshell report has claimed.

The Belgian was confirmed as a Napoli star and hailed as 'King Kev' earlier this month as City showed him the door following a decade of impeccable service.

De Bruyne, who also considered the prospect of joining Chicago Fire, seemed wistful to be leaving the Etihad but is determined to make a point.

The Athletic reports that the 33-year-old opted for Napoli partly so he could prove City wrong for letting him go by showing he can compete at the top level.