Kobbie Mainoo to obtain Man Utd exit route as star’s switch stance clear
Manchester United outcast Kobbie Mainoo is set to be handed an escape route in the January transfer window as the midfielder looks to return to the England squad in time for the World Cup
Napoli are prepared to cover Kobbie Mainoo’s entire salary in a bid to secure his signature in the January transfer window.
The Italian champions are eager to bring the Manchester United outcast to Naples in the coming months. Napoli’s president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, has assured United that he is ready to meet Mainoo’s £35,000-a-week wage packet.
De Laurentiis has consulted Napoli stars Kevin De Bruyne and Scott McTominay about Mainoo – both players have endorsed the England midfielder as a fantastic addition to Antonio Conte’s squad.
Napoli attempted to sign Mainoo in the summer, but he chose to stay at United when Ruben Amorim expressed his desire to retain him. However, Mainoo has remained on the periphery of Amorim’s team, making just eight appearances across all competitions this season.
It’s believed that Napoli are keen to initially loan Mainoo, with plans to make the move permanent come summer. Mainoo recognises that he’ll need to depart Old Trafford to secure regular playing time, especially if he hopes to be considered for England’s 2026 World Cup squad.
Napoli have had previous success with signing United players, with McTominay being crowned the Serie A Player of the Season during their title-winning campaign. Rasmus Hojlund has also hit the ground running since joining on loan in the summer, netting four goals in his first seven matches.
Mainoo falls into the category of a frustrated player seeking more regular playing time. As of this weekend, the 20-year-old United academy graduate had only started one game for United this season, which was their disastrous defeat to Grimsby in the Carabao Cup.
He’s been dropped to the bench in the Premier League, with Amorim favouring Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes in central midfield.
Mainoo’s departure was blocked on deadline day, with Amorim outlining his expectations for the young player in September.
“I didn’t have a conversation with him before the window closed because I didn’t want Kobbie Mainoo thinking that I was having a conversation with him just to hold on to him,” he said. “I did it this week.
“I believe in him a lot. He is a top player. But some of you think that Kobbie Mainoo is already done [a complete player]. I think he can do so much better. For some guys [talent] is enough, but for him it is not. Maybe it’s not fair, but I think I’m helping Kobbie and that’s it.”
