Football Friends Reunited: Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling Poised to Join Forces at Napoli
Kevin De Bruyne is reportedly spearheading Napoli's bid to bring Raheem Sterling to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. The close friendship between the two players, forged during their time at Manchester City, could see them reunite in Italy following Sterling's departure from Chelsea.
Kevin De Bruyne is reportedly looking to reunite with Raheem Sterling at Napoli. The duo won numerous trophies together at Manchester City, where they formed a close friendship and remain in touch to this day. Now, it is being claimed that Sterling could join De Bruyne at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona after leaving Chelsea.Sterling left Chelsea 'by mutual consent' on January 28, bringing an end to over half a season in exile at Stamford Bridge. He was deemed surplus to requirements in the summer of 2024 and spent last season on loan at Arsenal, but returned to the Blues in 2025 and was sent to train with the club's 'bomb squad' as he still did not feature in then-head coach Enzo Maresca's plans.Chelsea's statement confirming Sterling's exit read: "Raheem Sterling has today departed Chelsea Football Club by mutual agreement, bringing to an end three-and-a-half seasons as our player, having signed in the summer of 2022 when he was transferred from Manchester City."We thank Raheem for the contribution he made while a Chelsea player and wish him well for the next stage in his career."As reported by The Sun, Napoli are interested in acquiring Sterling now that he is a free agent, and De Bruyne has been playing his part in trying to 'lure' his ex-City team-mate to Italy. While previous reports claimed Sterling was only looking to stay in and around the London area or the south of England, The Sun say he is open-minded about a move abroad and will lower his wage demands to help breathe fresh life into a career that has stalled.Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!In a 2019 ghost-written article for The Players' Tribune, De Bruyne explained how he and Sterling formed a friendship after arriving at City together in the summer of 2015 with their reputations undermined by the media.De Bruyne said: "I didn't think he'd be a bad guy, really. But the tabloids were always claiming that he was arrogant."Raheem and I have this strong connection, because we arrived at City around the same time, and there was a lot of negativity about us in the press."They said I was "the Chelsea reject." They said Raheem was this flashy guy who left Liverpool for money. They said we were difficult characters."Of course, when you read this stuff about yourself, you think, 'Me? I'm not difficult. This is ridiculous. These people don't even know me!' But honestly, when you read about other players, it influences the way you think. You can't help it."Then I got to City and I actually met Raheem, and we'd talk a bit after training, and I thought, 'Wait, this guy seems really cool? What's the story here?'"Truthfully, I don't have many close friends - inside or outside of football. It takes me a really long time to open up to people. But over time, I got closer to Raheem, because our sons were born around the same time, so they would always play together."I really got to know Raheem, and I recognised what a smart and genuine person he is. He couldn't be more different from what the tabloids were saying."This is the real truth: Raheem is one of the nicest, most humble guys I've met in football."Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingShould Sterling indeed sign for Napoli, he will link up with other former Premier League players who are succeeding under the management of Antonio Conte. Ex-Manchester United duo Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund are two of the club's high-profile rejuvenation stories.
The Reunion of Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling
Reports suggest that Kevin De Bruyne is working to orchestrate the transfer of Raheem Sterling to Napoli, with the duo having shared success at Manchester City and maintained a strong bond since. Sterling's recent exit from Chelsea on mutual terms has opened the door for a potential move to Italy, where De Bruyne is eager to have his former teammate by his side.
Sterling's Departure from Chelsea
After a period of being sidelined at Stamford Bridge, Raheem Sterling parted ways with Chelsea in a mutual agreement. Having been surplus to requirements since the summer of 2024, Sterling spent time on loan at Arsenal before returning to Chelsea for the 2025 season. However, he found himself training with the 'bomb squad' under then-head coach Enzo Maresca, leading to his eventual departure from the club. Chelsea expressed gratitude for Sterling's contributions and wished him well in his future endeavors.
De Bruyne's Influence in the Potential Transfer
Known for their camaraderie and shared experiences at Manchester City, Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling developed a close friendship that transcended the pitch. De Bruyne has been actively involved in Napoli's pursuit of Sterling, aiming to entice him to join the Serie A club. The duo, who overcame initial media portrayals to form a genuine connection, could once again combine their talents in Naples.
A Rekindled Partnership at Napoli
Should Raheem Sterling choose to don the Napoli jersey, he would join a host of former Premier League players thriving under the guidance of Antonio Conte. The likes of Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund have found success in Italy following their respective stints in the English top-flight. Sterling's potential move to Napoli heralds a new chapter in his career, potentially reigniting the on-field chemistry he shared with Kevin De Bruyne.
