Napoli were keen on signing Kobbie Mainoo during the summer, but they couldn’t get a deal over the line. The Italian giants haven’t given up on their pursuit of the Manchester United midfielder, and they are set to return for his signature in the upcoming transfer window.
According to a report from the Mirror, the Naples-based club are willing to cover his full wages as they look to persuade Manchester United to sanction his departure in January. The player is frustrated with his lack of game time, and Napoli are looking to make the most of his current situation.
Mainoo has come up the ranks at Manchester United and has been a part of their first team since the start of 2023. While he was a regular feature under Erik ten Hag, a lot has changed since the arrival of Ruben Amorim.
The Portuguese manager doesn’t consider him a perfect fit for his system. As a result, the English international has often found himself on the bench, which doesn’t help his chances of making it to the World Cup next summer.
In order to ensure he gets regular minutes, the 20-year-old was ready to leave the club last summer on a temporary basis. Napoli emerged as a potential destination. The Italian giants were ready to do everything to get a deal over the line, but Mainoo turned down the opportunity after Amorim asked him to stay.
However, the decision hasn’t worked out in his favour as he has only featured in eight matches, racking up just 228 minutes of first-team action. Having started just one game so far, the 20-year-old is frustrated and ready to leave on loan to improve his chances of playing at the World Cup.
Napoli are ready to revive their pursuit of the English midfielder. They are ready to once again try to sign the Manchester United graduate. Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has informed the Red Devils that they are willing to cover his entire £35,000-a-week contract, as they look to persuade them.
De Laurentiis has held talks with Kevin De Bruyne and Scott McTominay about Mainoo, and both of them have suggested that he could be a great fit for their system. Napoli are planning to initially sign him on loan, before trying to make the deal permanent in the summer.
They have had great success with United players of late. McTominay helped them win the league last season, while Rasmus Hojlund has had a sensational start to his Napoli career. Now, they are keen on adding Mainoo to the mix.
