Napoli are closing in on a major January signing as reports claim Kobbie Mainoo’s move from Manchester United is now “99%” complete. According to Football365, the Serie A side have accelerated talks in recent weeks, with United increasingly open to selling the midfielder following his dramatic drop down the pecking order under Ruben Amorim.
Mainoo’s decline at Old Trafford has been one of the most surprising storylines of the past 18 months. Once hailed as one of Europe’s brightest midfield prospects, the 20-year-old has found himself limited to fringe appearances this season, with Amorim preferring Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro in the central roles.
The England international has made only fleeting contributions from the bench, prompting renewed speculation over his future. Mainoo requested a loan move to Napoli in the summer, but United blocked it at the time due to squad depth concerns. Now, with the January window approaching, the club’s stance has shifted.
Italian journalist Luca Cerchione revealed that a source close to Napoli assistant manager Cristian Stellini had indicated the deal is “close to 99%” complete. While Stellini himself was not cited directly, the suggestion of significant progress aligns with United’s openness to sanctioning a sale if a replacement can be secured.
For Napoli, Mainoo represents a long-term investment — a technically gifted midfielder capable of thriving in Serie A’s tactical environment. His ability to break lines, carry the ball and operate in tight spaces has long appealed to the Italian club, who see him as a central piece for their next rebuild phase.
At United, the situation is far more complex. Mainoo’s fall from grace has coincided with broader squad restructuring under INEOS, who are attempting to streamline recruitment and reduce contract inefficiencies. Amorim, however, has faced criticism for his handling of several young talents, including Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee, both of whom have struggled for consistent opportunities.
Zirkzee is also pushing for a January exit as he aims to secure regular minutes before the 2026 World Cup. A separate report from TEAMtalk notes that Amorim and INEOS are “at odds” over whether the striker should be allowed to leave, with injuries to Benjamin Sesko complicating the picture.
Mainoo’s case is more clear-cut. United believe he needs regular starting minutes to regain confidence and reclaim the level he showed in 2023/24, when he broke into the first team under Erik ten Hag. A permanent sale, rather than another loan negotiation, is increasingly viewed as the cleanest solution for all parties.
The sticking point remains United’s ability to bring in a midfield replacement. With Casemiro’s future uncertain and the squad preparing to lose several players to the Africa Cup of Nations, the club must avoid creating further weaknesses in an already unbalanced midfield.
For Napoli, the timing could not be better. The Italian side have been monitoring Mainoo for nearly a year and believe his development ceiling justifies aggressive pursuit. With the player keen on a fresh start and United signalling readiness to deal, the path to an agreement is now clearer than ever.
If finalised, Mainoo’s move would mark one of the headline transfers of the January window — a dramatic shift for a player once considered indispensable at Old Trafford. But with opportunities dwindling and Napoli pushing hard, the stage is set for a new chapter in Italy.