Napoli targets MU's Kobbie Mainoo in winter transfer window

Napoli want to test Manchester United's resolve by making a move for Kobbie Mainoo in the winter transfer window, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. Antonio Conte believes he can give frustrated Old Trafford players a fresh start in southern Italy, following recent successes with Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund.

Deal Breakdown: Immediate Need and Opportunity for Mainoo

Mainoo, 20, is struggling to find playing time under coach Amorim. In the 2025/26 Premier League, he has played a total of 138 minutes, mostly from the bench. At the end of the summer transfer window, Mainoo requested to be loaned out to get more playing time but was rejected by the MU leadership. This situation opens up the possibility of Napoli entering the game in the winter.

For Conte, this is the time to strengthen his midfield. De Bruyne has just suffered a serious thigh tear and is likely to be out for several months; Stanislav Lobotka is vulnerable to injury; and Zambo Anguissa will return to play for Cameroon in the African Cup of Nations later this year. Napoli need depth, and Mainoo is the right target to fill the void in a difficult period.

Conte's thinking: rebuilding the midfield with "new motivation"

The message from Napoli is clear: find a young, promising player with the drive to prove himself. The careers of McTominay and Hojlund are the most recent examples. McTominay was named Serie A Player of the Year last season, while Hojlund is slowly regaining his confidence with four goals in his first seven games. This is proof that Napoli believe the environment under Conte can activate players who need a psychological boost and a stable playing space.

Napoli are therefore not only looking at potential but also at immediate availability. For Mainoo, a busy schedule after the winter break and the absence of midfield key players means he has the opportunity to be included in the squad rotation, if United open the door to negotiations.

Will MU release the player? A test of will from Napoli

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Napoli will ask MU directly in the winter window. The key point lies in Old Trafford's position: they rejected a loan offer at the end of the summer, meaning they do not want to let go of a young asset. However, the pressure of Mainoo's need to play, combined with a convincing enough offer from Napoli, could make the negotiation table become noteworthy.

Napoli, on the other hand, are buoyed by their internal data: recent “salvage” signings have all shown a positive recovery curve. They even want to negotiate an early deal to buy Hojlund outright from Manchester United after an impressive start to Serie A. That logic makes the Mainoo deal a logical next step in line with their current recruitment strategy.

The numbers and context stand out

• 138 minutes: Kobbie Mainoo's playing time in the 2025/26 Premier League, mainly from the bench.
• 4 goals/7 matches: Rasmus Hojlund's opening performance in Napoli's shirt.
• Scott McTominay: Serie A's best player last season.
• De Bruyne: thigh muscle tear, may be out for a few months; Anguissa will attend AFCON at the end of the year; Lobotka is susceptible to injury.

Strategic perspective: winter window is an opportunity

Winter is often a difficult market, but Napoli have a clear advantage in terms of demand and a model for reviving players who have struggled. For United, the problem is balancing youth development with short-term first-team goals. The answer lies in how open they are to negotiations, against a Napoli side that is ready to act quickly.

Monitoring the negotiations between the two clubs in the coming weeks will show whether Napoli will make their intentions come true, or whether MU will continue to "lock" Mainoo for the rest of the season.