Kobbie Mainoo: Napoli ready to make key sacrifice to pip Bayern to Man United star | OneFootball

Ahead of the January transfer window, all eyes will be on Kobbie Mainoo, with many keen to see whether he stays or departs.

Of all his talents, and despite the hype surrounding him, Mainoo has yet to cement a place in Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim’s project. While he earns the occasional cameo appearance, the 20-year-old appears to have been relegated to the bench.

Searching for game time

For a player with ambitions of developing his craft, the current situation hardly aids his growth.

Eager to play more and hoping to impress enough to be considered for England’s squad at next summer’s FIFA World Cup, Mainoo is now being linked with a winter exit.

As the young midfielder weighs up his options, United legends Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand have urged him to walk away from Old Trafford in pursuit of regular football.

Mainoo a wanted man

Should he leave United, reports suggest at least 12 clubs are ready to pounce. Among them, two stand out: Italian champions Napoli and Bundesliga heavyweights Bayern Munich.

Bayern are said to be in talks with Mainoo’s representatives over a permanent January move. Yet Napoli, long-time admirers of the midfielder, are also pressing hard to secure his signature.

Napoli’s sacrifice to land Mainoo

Journalist Luca Marchetti, quoted by Area Napoli, revealed the lengths to which the Partenopei are willing to go to bring Mainoo to Campania.

“Are steps needed now to speed things up?” Marchetti asked.

“We can already talk about progress with Mainoo, because the player would have no problem accepting. But to conclude a deal, Manchester United must agree terms, and space must be created—both financially and technically—to bring the boy in as soon as possible. For this reason, rumours suggest Lorenzo Lucca could depart in January to make room for new arrivals.”

The fact that Antonio Conte is prepared to sacrifice his summer signing Lucca underlines just how determined Napoli are to land the Englishman.

Whether this bold move allows them to beat Bayern to the signing of Mainoo remains to be seen.

Looking ahead

Either way, the hope is that the United midfielder enjoys a stronger second half of the campaign. Given his talent, he deserves the chance to prove his quality and stake a claim for a place in England’s squad, another opportunity to play among the very best after his Euro 24 exploits.

Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images

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