Napoli hold talks with unwanted Man Utd man who could reunite with Hojlund & McTominay | OneFootball

Napoli could be laying plans to sign Tyrell Malacia, whose contract with Manchester United will expire at the end of the season.

The Dutchman rose to prominence at Feyenoord before making the move to Old Trafford in the summer of 2022 at the request of his compatriot, Erik ten Hag.

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The left-back was initially a regular starter, but his stint at Carrington has been hampered by serious injuries.

Napoli make contact with Tyrell Malacia?

Last season, the 26-year-old spent the second half of the campaign on loan at PSV Eindhoven before returning to Man Utd in the summer.

However, Malacia found himself part of the so-called ‘bomb squad’ — a group of five Man Utd players unwanted by Ruben Amorim.

While Marcus Rashford, Antony, Jadon Sancho, and Alejandro Garnacho all left Man Utd in the summer of 2025, the Netherlands international couldn’t seal a move.

Malacia was supposedly on the cusp of joining a Turkish club in January, but the transfer was called off at the eleventh hour due to Patrick Dorgu’s injury.

With his contract expiring at the end of the season, the full-back’s departure is inevitable. Although he isn’t officially omitted from the squad, he has only made two brief cameos this season, both coming against Newcastle United.

According to Italian journalist Carlo Alvino (via CalcioNapoli24), Malacia’s next destination could be Napoli.

Why Napoli could be interested in Malacia

As the Italian source explains, Napoli’s sporting director, Giovanni Manna, travelled to England to hold talks with the entourage of a Man Utd player who’s running on an expiring contract.

While the source isn’t absolutely certain of the player’s identity, Malacia was identified as the most plausible option based on his age and affordable salary demands.

United’s other out-of-contract players are 39-year-old goalkeeper Tom Heaton, 34-year-old midfielder Casemiro, and Harry Maguire, who is on the cusp of signing a renewal.

Malacia would thus reunite with his former MUFC teammates, Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund. The Scottish midfielder signed for the Partenopei in the summer of 2024 and played an instrumental role in their Scudetto triumph last season, hence winning the Serie A MVP award.

The Danish striker moved to Southern Italy last summer after a woeful campaign at Old Trafford, and he is currently enjoying a career revival.

Therefore, a move to the Stadio Maradona could be enticing for Malacia based on the exploits of his former teammates.