Kevin De Bruyne will be Serie A's best... if Luka Modric lets him! Axel Witsel hails new signings and backs ex-Man City star and Romelu Lukaku to fire Napoli to another title

Witsel, who is a free agent after his contract with Atletico Madrid expired, is excited to watch two world-beaters in Modric and De Bruyne take centre stage in the Serie A next season, claiming that his national team-mate will be the best midfielder in Italy unless the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner has other plans.

Both Modric and De Bruyne will arrive in Serie A as free agents, after their contracts expired at Real Madrid and Manchester City, respectively. The duo were consistently among the finest midfielders in Europe and locked horns on the field on numerous occasions in the Champions League and at the international stage. Now, the two iconic midfielders will take their experience and flair to the Italian top-flight, with Modric joining AC Milan and De Bruyne bolstering defending champions Napoli.

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Witsel said: "It's no coincidence that AC Milan rightly chose the 39-year-old Modric, and Italian champions Napoli chose the 34-year-old De Bruyne. Two absolute phenomena: they could have gone elsewhere, but I understand their decision and I'd like to emulate them.

"Kevin will have to adapt to Conte and Napoli, who play differently than City. But De Bruyne is a champion and will prove to be the best midfielder in Serie A. Modric permitting: Luka lives for football, he will carry Allegri's AC Milan. De Bruyne is exceptional; I expect at least 10 goals and 15 assists in Naples. He won't even need to speak to Lukaku on the pitch: they've had a great connection since their first years together in Belgium and they understand each other instantly, just a glance is enough."

Speaking about the title contenders, the Belgian midfielder added: "Napoli are the favourites. They are the reigning champions and on the bench they are led by a winner like Conte. Lukaku is a certainty and has strengthened on the transfer market. What a coup De Bruyne is, far from being at the end of his career... It would be great to find myself in Serie A with him, Rom, Modric, and Dzeko."

Speaking in the same interview, the former Atletico and Borussia Dortmund man shed light on his future plans.

Asked if he would accept an offer from a club Saudi Arabia, he said: "In football, you never say never. My priority is to continue playing in a major European league. I'm attracted to Serie A because it's a tactical, high-level league."