Napoli Join The Race For Soungoutou Magassa As Potential Kobbie Mainoo Alternative

Napoli have identified up-and-coming West Ham star Soungoutou Magassa as an alternative for Kobbie Mainoo. 

The Serie A side are the latest club to join the race for the highly-rated central midfielder. Magassa scored the equalizer in the recent 1-1 draw with Manchester United.

His battling performance at Old Trafford has caught the attention of a number of Europe’s elite. Conte’s side are the latest to show their interest and are very much in the mix for his signature.

🚨 Napoli’s search for a new centre-midfielder in the January window has seen them target Soungoutou Magassa of West Ham United.

Kobbie Mainoo remains their priority target but they know the deal will hinge on varying factors at Manchester United including the future of Ruben… pic.twitter.com/W8trjH3ZEM

— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) December 8, 2025

Soungoutou Magassa Transfer News

Although Napoli have targeted Kobbie Mainoo as their first-choice midfielder to sign in January, Soungotou Magassa has also been identified in case a deal for the Englishman can’t be struck.

However, the Serie A champions will face plenty of competition for the 22-year-old. Rivals Roma have also shortlisted Magassa whilst Eintracht Frankfurt, Fulham and Nottingham Forest are all keen.

Magassa – who only joined West Ham in August – still has five-and-a-half years to run on his current deal in London. Nonetheless, his potential suitors believe a deal can be manufactured for approximately €15million.

That would prove to be a cheaper alternative to Mainoo but it’s likely that Manchester United would only let the 20-year-old leave on a loan deal next month.

Napoli’s Injury Crisis

With Billy Gilmour injured for the majority of the 2025-26 campaign, Napoli have been forced to dive into the transfer market in January.

Even more so as a number of targets have been identified to replace Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian-baller is also on the treatment table having undergone hamstring surgery.

Gilmour and De Bruyne had proven hugely important to the Partenopei so far this term. Their absences have blunted Antonio Conte’s plans but a solution could be found in the form of Soungoutou Magassa.

Magassa – who was pursued by AC Milan and Roma throughout his youth career – is also a strong candidate to fill the void left by Frank Anguissa. Similar to KDB, he also has a hamstring injury and won’t return before March.

Soungoutou Magassa Style Of Play

After his starring role against Manchester United on December 4, Napoli supporters would surely welcome the addition of Soungoutou Magassa to Naples.

The 22-year-old is a typical box-to-box midfielder who can also play as a center-back. Tenacious in the tackle with an aggressive style of play, Magassa is perfectly suited to Antonio Conte’s system.

Magassa’s strong defensive attributes – coupled with his raw energy and stamina – would prove a useful weapon in helping the Partenopei head coach clinch back-to-back Scudetto’s. 

Standing at 6ft 2in, Magassa has the physicality, composure and intensity that could see him reach the very top. All that remains is for Conte to demonstrate that his immediate future lies at the Maradona Stadium.