Kobbie Mainoo And Napoli Given Fresh Hope In Manchester United Talks
The midfielder is open to moving to Naples, but Ruben Amorim is undecided.
Kobbie Mainoo and Napoli remain hopeful over agreeing a loan deal with Manchester United, according to reports.
Kobbie Mainoo Talks Planned
The midfielder has yet to start in the Premier League this season and has played just 273 minutes in total.
That has led to speculation that he could look to leave Old Trafford next month, having failed to secure a move during the summer.
Napoli are believed to be frontrunners for his signature, and indeed, FootItalia understands Mainoo is very interested in joining.
Around a dozen clubs are keeping a keen eye on his situation, but Antonio Conte’s side hold the early advantage.
Now, Mainoo, 20, appears to have been given a boost in his attempt to broker an exit. According to Il Mattino, his camp will discuss Napoli’s approach on Monday, while ‘closer contact’ on Tuesday has not been ruled out.
These discussions could inch all parties closer to an agreement, with Conte keen to secure Mainoo before January 2. However, a major stumbling block remains as Amorim has not yet given the green light.
Despite this, Napoli are said to be hopeful. Mainoo heads up their list of targets, raising the prospect of him reuniting with Scott McTominay, his former United team-mate.
Ruben Amorim Open To Kobbie Mainoo Talks
United are reluctant to let him go during the Africa Cup of Nations, when they will lose three players – Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui.
The club are not expected to spend big and do not want to leave themselves short.
Amorim has not decided whether he will allow Mainoo to leave, but is open to speaking to him.
“If Kobbie comes to me and talks to me, I will talk to him,” he told reporters ahead of United’s match against Bournemouth on Monday.
“I’m not going to say what I’m going to say to Kobbie, but I will be really pleased if Kobbie comes to talk to me about that. I just want my players happy and I understand that every individual has their goals.
“The frustration doesn’t help anybody. But again, the focus is [Bournemouth] and we will see if that happens. I had some conversations with him, especially last year, but about that subject, no, I didn’t speak with him.
“I am completely open [to talk].”
Dan Davis
Dan is an experienced sports journalist and part-time lecturer. An expert on Serie A and Italian football, he has produced content for the likes of the Daily Mail, Reach PLC, GiveMeSport, FourFourTwo and GRV Media. While Channel 4's iconic Football Italia was a bit before his time, the nostalgia - and pastries - fuelled his love of all things Calcio.
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