Manchester United have reportedly informed Napoli of the conditions required to sign Kobbie Mainoo in the January transfer window.
Kobbie Mainoo has endured a difficult start to the season with Manchester United, as he does not seem to be a key part of Rúben Amorim’s plans.
United have stayed with their 3-4-2-1 system, which has put Mainoo in direct competition with captain Bruno Fernandes for playing time.
Because of this, the 20-year-old has featured for only 170 minutes across eight Premier League games and is still waiting for his first league start, having completed 90 minutes only once in a Carabao Cup defeat to Grimsby Town.
With the 2026 World Cup approaching, those close to Mainoo feel he needs consistent minutes immediately if he is to challenge for a place in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad, and the midfielder has asked to leave on loan several times this season to secure that opportunity.
United set price tag for Mainoo
After requesting to leave the club on loan in the final week of the summer transfer window, it’s expected that Mainoo will repeat the request once the January window opens, with Napoli previously identified as his preferred destination.
While some reports have suggested that United have no intention to leave, Italian journalist Enrico De Lellis has provided a new spin on the situation.
According to De Lellis, via CalcioBlog, Mainoo is a “real target” for Napoli, but United have informed the Serie A Champions that they can either agree to a straight loan deal or a £43.7 million transfer fee.
Neither option is considered by Napoli to be “worthwhile”, which would make the move a non-starter.
Amorim’s actions during AFCON will be telling
Former United defender Paul Parker is often very outspoken with his opinions at United, and he feels that if the 20-year-old were to leave in January or the summer, it would be a disaster for both Amorim and the club.
Mainoo’s only gripe is his lack of game time. It has been widely stated that the player has no intention of leaving United permanently, but simply wants to play football, secure a spot at the World Cup, and keep improving.
With Amad and Bryan Mbeumo set to leave for the Africa Cup of Nations next month and vacating the right-hand side, Amorim has the perfect chance to hand Mainoo the role he claims is best for the midfielder.
With the Englishman stuck behind Fernandes, the latter could easily be moved to start playing on the right-hand side of the front three once Mbeumo and Amad depart, which leaves a Mainoo-shaped hole in the midfield.
However, if Amorim continues to keep Mainoo on the bench or does not hand him a start in at least one of the six fixtures the side has in December, it would be very telling that the United boss does not see him as a reliable part of the squad.
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