Napoli will reportedly make another attempt to sign Kobbie Mainoo from Man Utd in the January transfer window after missing out on him in the summer.
The Serie A champions tried to sign the midfielder, who was said to be keen on a deal, but the Red Devils blocked any potential move.
With Spurs and Real Madrid also linked with Mainoo last summer, the 20-year-old sought to leave on loan in order to get more game time. He is yet to start a game in the Premier League this season, registering just 144 minutes of action in the competition.
Napoli plan January move for Man Utd outcast Kobbie Mainoo
Gazzetta dello Sport claim that Napoli “will try again” to sign Mainoo when the window opens for business in January.
Antonio Conte is dealing with injuries to key men that could leave him short in midfield. Kevin De Bruyne has been ruled out for months and Stanislav Lobotka is on the shelf with an adductor injury. Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa is also expected to link up with the Cameroon squad for the African Cup of Nations at the turn of the year.
Mainoo could provide much needed cover in the middle, although Man Utd are unlikely to sanction a move.
“I want Kobbie to stay,” manager Ruben Amorim said in August. “He needs to fight for his place, and we need Kobbie. So that is not going to change. The rest I don’t know how it’s going to finish.
“I understand that the players that are not playing in this moment are disappointed. But everyone will have the same opportunity to play. You have to fight during the week.”
Napoli have enjoyed success at signing unwanted players from the Premier League in recent years. Scott McTominay, Romelu Lukaku and Billy Gilmour all arrived from United, Chelsea and Brighton to help the club win their fourth Scudetto last season.
Former Manchester City midfielder De Bruyne was playing well before he was struck down by injury, and Hojlund has scored four goals in seven games since joining on loan from United.
