Napoli are reportedly preparing another move for Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, as head coach Antonio Conte looks to strengthen his squad ahead of the January transfer window.
The Serie A champions, who secured the signing of Kevin De Bruyne as a free agent over the summer, are in the market for midfield reinforcements after the Belgian was sidelined with a thigh injury. With Napoli competing both domestically and in Europe, Conte is said to be targeting players with Premier League experience to bring depth and stability to his engine room.
According to reports from Sky Sports, Napoli’s interest in Mainoo is “genuine” and discussions over a potential deal are ongoing. The Italian club is believed to be pursuing an initial loan move that would include an option to buy. Manchester United are reportedly open to finding a compromise, with the situation described as “more than ever on the table”.
Mainoo, who graduated from Manchester United’s academy and broke into the senior side with high expectations, has found playing time hard to come by this season. The 20-year-old has made only eight appearances so far, with his only start coming in the Carabao Cup defeat to League Two side Grimsby. He is yet to start in the Premier League under current manager Ruben Amorim, who prefers other midfield options in his 3-4-3 setup.
While Manchester United are said to be reluctant to agree to a permanent transfer at this stage, Napoli believe they can tempt Mainoo with the opportunity to work under Conte—whose reputation for developing midfielders remains highly regarded across Europe.
If a deal is completed, Mainoo’s long-term stay in Italy could depend on his performance and playing time during the second half of the season. Reports suggest that Manchester United would prefer to see the midfielder continue his development abroad rather than join a rival Premier League side.
Mainoo may not be the only United player attracting interest from Serie A. Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee, who joined United from Bologna in 2024, is also being linked with a move back to Italy after a difficult start to life at Old Trafford. The 23-year-old has made only five league appearances this season and is said to be seeking a January loan to revive his form.
Roma are reportedly leading the chase for Zirkzee, although AC Milan are monitoring developments as they look to strengthen their attacking options. The striker is understood to be willing to take a significant salary reduction to secure more regular playing time.
