-
News
- 3 hours ago
Antonio Conte pushes to complete January signing of Man Utd star
Carlo Garganese
- Updated: 8 Oct 2025 11:45 BST
- 5 min read
News
Napoli are in constant discussions to sign Kobbie Mainoo in January, and Antonio Conte is pushing to conclude the deal quickly.
Journalist Sacha Tavolieri reports that Serie A champions Napoli are in continual dialogue with Mainoo's representatives as they work on a deal to sign the midfielder on loan.
Current ETV
Kobbie Mainoo
DM, M (C)
Kobbie Mainoo
DM, M (C)
Man Utd
ETV Range
€55M - €67.2M
Mainoo has already made it clear he would accept the loan, while Napoli manager Antonio Conte is pushing his directors to conclude the deal quickly.
Man Utd are still resisting letting Mainoo leave on loan but such is the player's will to depart that they face a tough challenge keeping him while his current situation is as it is.
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.
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.
Aston Villa, Newcastle, Real Madrid and Barcelona are all said to be interested also.
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.
Football transfer news headlines today
Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Rodrygo MESSAGE, Guehi decision CONFIRMED, next Man Utd SIGNING
Estevao: Neymar is my idol, I hate 'Little Messi' nickname
Man Utd open talks for transfer of €55m flop
Chelsea on RED ALERT as €115m target told he can leave in January
The FootballTransfers app
Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.
The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:
