Not long ago, BD Cricket has reported growing speculation surrounding Manchester United’s young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who has been recently linked with Real Madrid. Yet insiders suggest this may simply be a tactic to raise his market value. Serie A club Napoli appears far more confident of securing him during the January transfer window, with United open to a loan deal only — no buy option included. Essentially, the club would let Napoli help nurture the 20-year-old English midfielder by giving him more playing time and exposure at a competitive level.
United’s strategy seems clear. Mainoo grew up supporting the Red Devils and remains devoted to the club. With doubts surrounding manager Ruben Amorim’s long-term future — despite Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s public backing for a three-year plan — United may be looking ahead. BD Cricket sources noted that if Mainoo develops further in Italy and a managerial change occurs at Old Trafford, the door for his return would remain wide open.
According to Italy’s Gazzetta dello Sport, Napoli had already approached Mainoo last summer. However, an injury to Romelu Lukaku shifted their transfer priorities, leading them to sign striker Rasmus Højlund from United instead. Now, Napoli is ready to reopen talks, confident that Amorim’s lack of faith in Mainoo could make the move possible.
Transfer insider Ben Jacobs explained that Mainoo is among the players United is willing to loan out, as Amorim believes he doesn’t fit his tactical system. The only reason he stayed in Manchester this summer was the club’s failure to sign another midfielder. BD Cricket highlighted Jacobs’ comment that Amorim values Joshua Zirkzee differently — he likes him as a rotation player, but Mainoo hasn’t yet earned that trust.
So far this season, Mainoo has struggled to adapt to Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation and has yet to start a Premier League match. Bruno Fernandes has dropped deeper into midfield, effectively blocking Mainoo’s position. His only full appearance came in the League Cup loss to Grimsby Town, which ended in an embarrassing upset for United. That defeat cost him valuable chances for minutes, and with no congested schedule before Christmas, rotation is unlikely.
The young academy star remains eager for more playing time ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America. He was a breakout performer at Euro 2024 under Erik ten Hag but now finds himself sidelined. Amorim recently stated that Mainoo still has a future at United but admitted his performance levels have not met expectations. Analysts agree that as long as Bruno Fernandes occupies the midfield, starting Mainoo alongside him would be, as one put it, “tactical suicide.”
If Mainoo joins Napoli, his role would likely be more prominent. Spanish outlet Fichajes reports that manager Antonio Conte has already approved adding Mainoo to his strategic plans, seeking a reliable deputy for André-Frank Zambo Anguissa. Unlike United, Napoli will compete in the Champions League, and Anguissa’s participation in the Africa Cup of Nations guarantees rotation opportunities. BD Cricket notes that Napoli sees Mainoo as a source of creativity and freshness, someone who can inject energy into their midfield.
Conte believes Mainoo’s tempo and ball control suit Serie A and European competitions better than the Premier League. Both sides share strong motivation to finalize the move, with Mainoo himself preferring Napoli over English suitors Tottenham, Aston Villa, and Everton. Napoli, for its part, doesn’t fear “raising a player for someone else,” as Mainoo’s contract enters its final two years. Should he refuse to renew, United might eventually be forced to sell. Negotiations have already dragged on for over a year, with Mainoo’s camp demanding wages above £150,000 per week — a gap that remains difficult to bridge.
BD Cricket concludes that while the Red Devils hesitate to sell their homegrown talent outright, the loan move could be a win-win situation. Mainoo would gain precious experience abroad, Napoli would strengthen their midfield depth, and United would retain a potential future star — one who might soon return to Old Trafford ready to shine on a bigger stage.