Recent reports emerging from Italy that Kobbie Mainoo to Napoli is “99% done” sent Man Utd fans into a frenzy, and now Man Utd sources have had their say on the same.
Kobbie Mainoo’s stock at Man Utd has fallen quicker than anyone thought this season as Ruben Amorim continues to not fancy him.
For a player whose move Sir Jim Ratcliffe personally stepped in to stop in the summer, Amorim’s treatment of the player since then has been puzzling.
Push comes to shove: Would you rather have Kobbie Mainoo stay at Man Utd or Ruben Amorim?
Kobbie Mainoo and Ruben Amorim split
Credit: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
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The exit noise around Mainoo has ramped up rapidly because of the same, and Man Utd sources have had their say now on a bold report emerging from Italy.
Kobbie Mainoo after Man Utd win at Wolves
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Italian sources claim Kobbie Mainoo to Napoli is “99% done”
It is an open secret that Mainoo is not happy at Old Trafford, and barring some injury crisis, he is not going to be a starter at the club this season.
With this being a World Cup year, the onus is on Mainoo to win some minutes, and if Amorim continues to ignore him, he’ll have to search elsewhere.
Napoli have become somewhat of a safe haven for former Man Utd stars, especially as Rasmus Hojlund has followed Scott McTominay’s trailblazing steps.
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It’s why the fanbase was sent into a frenzy recently when Italian transfer insider Luca Cerchione said on Fischio Finale TV (via Area Napoli) that Mainoo to Napoli is 99% done.
He said: “In the past few days, I received a phone call from a friend of Mr. Stellini, who informed me that he had learned that there had been a significant acceleration in the sale of Mainoo, even talking about percentages close to 99%. Naturally, the person who gave me this transfer rumor didn’t cite Stellini as his source.”
Considering “Stellini” he mentions above is Cristian Stellini, the assistant coach of Napoli and Antonio Conte’s right-hand man, that’s an extremely bold claim.
So bold, in fact, that Man Utd sources have felt the need to come to the party.
Man Utd sources on Kobbie Mainoo to Napoli claim
Even if United do end up being open to letting Mainoo go, reports like these hardly help them because they end any potential bidding war.
More importantly, they unsettle the club that is already trying to navigate the tricky waters of potentially letting a generational talent leave.
What Paul Scholes said about Man Utd selling Kobbie Mainoo
“It’s ridiculous. He’s United’s brightest spark.
“He’s probably the leading man who could be here for the next five to 10 years.”
Paul Scholes in early 2025
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As such, TeamTalk reports through Man Utd sources that the claims above from Italy are ‘jumping the gun’, and while there has been contact from Napoli for Mainoo, the deal is hardly advanced, let alone “99% done”.
This could be a classic case of Napoli applying pressure on United through their media to put themselves in pole position for Mainoo in January.
United will need to hold firm and invite formal offers from teams wishing to do a deal, instead of playing the media game.
Mainoo’s situation is already incendiary because the Man Utd fans cherish him, so claims like this from Napoli’s side of the business have a clear motive, and it’s not a good one.
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