Kobbie Mainoo: Napoli expect to sign Man United star in January | OneFootball

Napoli expect to sign Kobbie Mainoo in the January transfer window after the latest response from the Manchester United midfielder, an Italian newspaper reveals.

The “Superstar” Sub

Mainoo, 20, is yet to start a Premier League match this season with Ruben Amorim favouring the experienced pairing of Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes in midfield.

The youngster is in direct competition with his captain, and the team’s most influential player, for the number eight role – a battle with only one winner.

Kobbie Mainoo Stats

And it’s this lack of minutes which is likely to drive Mainoo to push for an Old Trafford exit in January, after he made the same request at the end of the summer window.

Former Red Devil Nicky Butt cannot fathom why Mainoo – a player Butt describes as a “superstar” – has fallen down the pecking order, even claiming United would target the 20-year-old midfielder for £70 million if played for another side.

This is mirrored by Butt’s former teammate, Wes Brown, who revealed to The Peoples Person that he wants Amorim to rethink his position on Mainoo, and give the academy graduate more chances between now and the end of the season.

But Amorim’s opinion on his best midfield partnership appears locked in – and the Portuguese coach has shown an unwavering commitment to his decisions since arriving at the Theatre of Dreams last year.

The Third Red Devil in Naples

Mainoo has one eye on the World Cup next summer, having lost his place in Thomas Tuchel’s squad due to a lack of minutes at club level.

A loan for the second half of the campaign would give the youngster the best chance of re-staking a claim for a ticket  on the plane to North America. And Napoli have already proven a safe refuge for two former United stars to rebuild their reputations, away from the harsh spotlight of Old Trafford.

Both Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund have rediscovered their best form in Naples, with the Scotland international even reaching heights far beyond any he touched in Manchester – as demonstrated by his Ballon d’Or nomination and Serie A Player of the Year award.

Napoli are keen to sign Mainoo after serious injuries to Frank Anguissa and Billy Gilmour, with Antonio Conte desperate for midfield reinforcements.

As relayed by Sports Witness, Il Mattino – a local newspaper in Naples – reveals the English starlet is “expected to arrive” at the Diego Armanda Maradona Stadium at the beginning of the January window.

“Obviously, there’s not a minute to waste in the January transfer window. Last year, in the early days of the winter transfer window, Kvaratskhelia left, and now Kobbie Mainoo is expected to arrive.

“The Manchester United midfielder, riding on the momentum of McTominay’s meteoric rise in the Azzurri shirt, has already said yes to the idea of leaving the Premier League. The 20-year-old is open to a loan move, especially since, given the current situation, he would also have a key role here.

“Obviously, Napoli and United are negotiating a deal, but in this case, timing is also crucial. Because if he’s going to arrive, it needs to happen when the transfer window opens.”

Mainoo is said to have communicated his willingness to join Napoli, with the Serie A giant’s desire to complete the move also evident. It just now requires the third party involved in the deal – United – to rubber stamp the move for Gli Azzurri to welcome the third Red Devil to their ranks.

Featured image Jan Kruger via Getty Images

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