De Laurentiis warns De Bruyne and Lukaku over Conte criticism
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has warned Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku that they could be sold following their public criticism of former manager Antonio Conte.
Tensions at Napoli have reached a breaking point following public criticism of former manager Antonio Conte by senior players. Club president Aurelio De Laurentiis has issued a firm warning, suggesting that any players unhappy with the club's direction are free to seek employment elsewhere.
Kevin De Bruyne, who joined the club on a free transfer last summer, openly welcomed Conte's departure. The midfielder cited tactical frustration and broken promises regarding the team's style of play under the former Chelsea boss.
For me, yes. As far as I am concerned, he was not obliged to stay. There were promises made last summer on the way that we would be playing, but at the end of the day not much of it happened. Kevin De Bruyne
The situation is further complicated by the struggles of striker Romelu Lukaku, who previously faced a fine for disciplinary issues during his injury rehabilitation. Reports suggest Napoli may be willing to offload the Belgian international this summer for a reduced fee of €10 million amid interest from Turkish and Saudi clubs.
As the club prepares for a new era, likely under Massimiliano Allegri, De Laurentiis confirmed that the incoming head coach will have the final say on the squad's future. The president showed little concern regarding the potential exit of high-profile names:
If someone has to leave, they will leave. What’s the problem? There are plenty of footballers in the world. Aurelio De Laurentiis