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Kevin de Bruyne takes Man Utd talent to Napoli
Carlo Garganese
- Updated: 7 Oct 2025 09:38 BST
- 5 min read
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Kobbie Mainoo is increasingly pushing for a January move to Napoli due to the presence of Man City legend Kevin de Bruyne.
The Mirror reports that Napoli are leading the race to sign Mainoo on loan during the January transfer window.
Current ETV
Kobbie Mainoo
DM, M (C)
Kobbie Mainoo
DM, M (C)
Man Utd
ETV Range
€55M - €67.2M
The report adds that Napoli lead the race to capture Mainoo from Aston Villa, Newcastle and Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona.
The Mirror claims that the presence of De Bruyne at Napoli - following his summer free transfer to the club - is a key reason why Mainoo favours the Italian club above the others.
The former Man City man is one of the greatest central midfielders of his generation - and one of the best ever to play in Manchester - and Mainoo believes he will help his develop his game.
Mainoo to Napoli on loan?
Fabrizio Romano revealed last week that Mainoo would accept a January loan move to Serie A as he pushes to leave Man Utd.
In his YouTube video in Italian, Romano explained that Mainoo is still desperate to force a temporary transfer away from Old Trafford when the winter window opens in January.
Mainoo is unhappy about the lack of playing time he is getting under Ruben Amorim and has made it clear to United chiefs he wants a dry loan until the end of the season.
Man Utd are still refusing to letting him go but Mainoo is pushing hard to convince them.
Romano added that Mainoo's agents have good relationships with Serie A clubs and the midfielder has agreed to move there on loan in January if a suitable offer comes in which United accept.
Napoli are considered favourites having been keen on signing him in the last days of the summer window, only to be told by Man Utd he was not available.
Mainoo was desperate to depart Old Trafford this summer on a temporary loan for the 2025-26 season.
The midfielder is frustrated that he has only started 12 of Ruben Amorim's 34 Premier League games in charge at United.
And he will push for a loan move for the second half of the season in order to aid his development and to try and get back into the England squad for the World Cup.
Mainoo was not part of Thomas Tuchel's latest squad due to a lack of minutes at United.
The chances of Mainoo's situation improving seem slim as manager Ruben Amorim views the youngster as an alternative to Bruno Fernandes, who is unlikely to ever be dropped.
Speaking after Man Utd’s 1-1 draw versus Fulham, Amorim admitted: “He’s (Mainoo) fighting for the position now with Bruno, and I changed two midfielders.
“I let Mason Mount [play] there because we want to score a goal and when I changed I felt the team needed to return to one holding midfielder near Bruno.
“So he just needs to fight for the position with Bruno, as [it] should be at Manchester United. [Sometimes] he’s going to play with Bruno, but at the moment he’s fighting in training with Bruno for the position.”
The England midfielder has been a substitute in every single Premier League game this season. He only started the EFL Cup defeat to Grimsby.
Mainoo has made 78 appearances for Man Utd since his senior debut in 2022-23 and has also been capped 10 times by England, playing at Euro 2024.
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