Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo could be on his way out of Old Trafford in the final few days of the transfer window, according to reports - with Serie A champions Napoli keen on bringing him into their squad as they look to retain the Scudetto.
Mainoo came bursting through onto the scene at Old Trafford under Erik ten Hag, becoming a key player for United in the 2023/24 campaign - even scoring in the FA Cup final against local rivals Manchester City to claim the trophy, as well as showcasing his talents as a technical player in the heart of midfield on a regular basis.
Sky Sports: Napoli 'Confident' of Kobbie Mainoo Man Utd Transfer
mainoo manchester united
However, those opportunities have dried up under new boss Ruben Amorim, who utilises a two-man midfield - and with Bruno Fernandes taking the 'creative' role in the pivot, that has limited Mainoo's playing time. As a result, he is considering departing Old Trafford for pastures new.
With that in mind, the report by Sky Sports journalist Sacha Tavolieri states that Napoli are 'very confident' that they can make a move for Mainoo happen, with talks currently underway with the Red Devils to force a move through.
Mainoo wants to leave the Red Devils, as evidenced by his loan request on Friday morning, and that exit will happen, according to Tavolieri - with a deal only being a 'matter of time'.
Any move to Naples for Mainoo would see him link up with former United midfield teammate Scott McTominay, and potentially form a quartet of ex-Red Devils, given Romelu Lukaku plies his trade there - whilst current United striker Rasmus Hojlund is also seemingly on his way to the Estadio Diego Armando Maradona after being frozen out of the first-team picture by Amorim.
He endured a shambolic campaign last season, scoring just four goals in 32 Premier League outings, even enduring a run of 16 games without a goal to his name - and so the west Italian coast could be a perfect reprieve for both players to find their best form once again.
Mainoo already has 73 first-team caps for United, despite only just turning 20 years of age - though his start in the shock defeat against Grimsby Town means that the writing is somewhat on the wall for the England talent in terms of his future. Mainoo started against Spain in the EURO 2024 final just 13 months ago, and a move away could help him force his way into Thomas Tuchel's plans.
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