Report: Serie A giants make first move to sign Man United star in January | OneFootball

Napoli Step Up Interest in Mainoo as Midfield Shortages Deepen

Napoli’s search for a reliable midfield solution has entered a critical phase, with the Serie A club reviving their pursuit of Kobbie Mainoo as injuries continue to destabilise their season. According to reporting from Football Italia’s Alfredo Pedullà, contact has been made once again with Man Utd as the Italian side assess their options ahead of the January window.

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Napoli’s Midfield Plans Accelerate

What began as a contingency plan has now developed into a full-scale priority. Initially, Napoli’s recruitment strategy focused on easing the load after Kevin De Bruyne suffered a significant setback earlier in the campaign. That challenge soon worsened when Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa joined the injury list, followed by Billy Gilmour, who is now facing the possibility of surgery at the start of next week.

It has left Antonio Conte grappling with a midfield department in urgent need of reinforcements. Performances have dipped, the team’s balance has wavered, and pressure is growing internally for a swift intervention. That urgency has redirected focus towards Mainoo, whose profile and composure on the ball have long appealed to Napoli’s technical staff.

Mainoo Back on Napoli’s Radar

Napoli’s interest in Mainoo is not new. Contacts were first made several weeks ago, and earlier in the summer window there had been suggestions that multiple Serie A clubs were considering offers for the 20-year-old. At that time, Man Utd made their position clear: Mainoo was not for sale, with the club intent on retaining one of their most promising academy graduates.

However, circumstances evolve. With Napoli’s midfield stretched beyond its limit, the club made fresh enquiries in recent days to understand whether any softening has taken place in Man Utd’s stance. The youngster remains one of the leading names on their shortlist, and internal discussions continue around whether a proposal could be put forward that might tempt the Premier League club into negotiations.

United’s Decision Looms

While interest from Italy is strong, any progress hinges on Man Utd’s willingness to engage. Mainoo has featured prominently in their long-term planning, and although competition exists for his signature, the club hold all the leverage at this stage.

There is still distance between interest and agreement. As it stands, no deal is imminent and the situation remains fluid. Both sides are expected to reassess in the coming weeks as the January window approaches, but for now, Mainoo’s future rests firmly in the hands of his current employers.

January Window Could Shape Next Steps

Napoli’s urgency is clear and the club’s midfield crisis continues to intensify. Whether that pressure will force a breakthrough in talks remains uncertain, but Mainoo’s name is expected to feature heavily in the Italian side’s planning as they look to safeguard their season.

Source: Football Italia – Alfredo Pedullà