Kobbie Mainoo: Summer signing axed as room finally made for Man Utd star

Robin Bairner

10 Dec 2025 08:10 GMT
4 min read

Kobbie Mainoo, Man Utd, 2025/26 — © IMAGO

Kobbie Mainoo has been a hot transfer topic at Manchester United since the end of the summer transfer window, when he pushed for a loan move that was rejected by the club.

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Despite seeing this demand turned down by manager Ruben Amorim due to a lack of midfield alternatives at Old Trafford, the youngster has still struggled to find room in the first team.

Although he appeared off the bench in Monday night’s victory over Premier League basement side Wolverhampton Wanderers, it was a rare appearance. The 20-year-old has featured in just 183 minutes of league action this term, not recording a single start.

Current ETV

Kobbie Mainoo

M, DM (C)

Man Utd

Kobbie Mainoo

M, DM (C)

Man Utd

ETV Range

€56.4M - €69M

Mainoo’s future is, therefore, the focus of attention as January approaches, with the England star set to request a move in order to further his World Cup hopes.

Serie A side Napoli have been credited as being at the front of the queue to sign Mainoo, and this status has only been reinforced by the fact that Antonio Conte’s side are now prepared to offload summer signing Lorenzo Lucca set to be sacrificed in the process.

Sky Sport Italia (via AreaNapoli) claims that “significant progress” has been made with the Man Utd star himself, but an agreement needs to be found with his club and space needs to be made for him in the squad.

Napoli want Mainoo deal done quickly

Napoli are in a rush to sign Mainoo due to their midfield injury issues. Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa has been missing for a month while Scotland international Billy Gilmour recently underwent surgery and faces a period out.

The Azzurri want the deal done as close to the start of January as possible. The longer the transfer drags on, the less important it is for Napoli to complete the deal.

This is one of the reasons that Conte is willing to sacrifice summer loan signing Lucca to get the deal done.

Amorim on Mainoo’s situation

While things seem to be coming together from Napoli’s end, Man Utd are only likely to accept any offer if they can find a Mainoo replacement for themselves.

Previously, Amorim has been cagey about leaving the England international leave.

“The first thing is that the club comes first, so we have to think about the club and the team, and then everything can happen,” Amorim told the media in November, also referring to attacker Joshua Zirkzee, who has been similarly peripheral.

“I was a football player, I understand everything. And I want to help my players in every situation, so I don't know what is going to happen. I want my players happy. I understand the frustration of some players, seeing that the World Cup is there.

“And I know what it means for the World Cup, but Manchester United comes first, so if I can help the club and the players, I will be happy, if not I have to think about the team.”

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