Kobbie Mainoo Must Make Immediate Change If He Completes Napoli Move

Kobbie Mainoo would need to make an immediate change if he signs for Napoli from Manchester United in January.

The 20-year-old midfielder requested to leave United on loan in the summer transfer window due to a lack of playing time under Ruben Amorim.

The Portuguese boss rejected Mainoo's request, however, and he remains at Old Trafford.

Amorim claimed that Mainoo was fighting with captain Bruno Fernandes for a spot in United's midfield, which has resulted in the England international failing to start a Premier League match this season.

Now, according to Gazzetta dello Sport, Serie A champions Napoli are targeting a loan move for Mainoo in January.

It is claimed that the club's sporting director, Giovanni Manna, has been 'following Mainoo for some time and appreciates his qualities'.

The report adds that Napoli targeted a midfielder during the summer window, but were forced to re-allocate funds towards signing Rasmus Hojlund on loan from United - with an option to buy - following the serious injury suffered by Romelu Lukaku.

Unlike in Hojlund's case, it is claimed that Napoli believe a deal for Mainoo could be completed if there is no option to buy inserted into the deal, meaning the midfielder would likely return to United next summer.

But he would still hope to make a similar impact to his former United team-mates Hojlund and Scott McTominay at Napoli.

Hojlund has already scored four goals in six appearances for Napoli, including a brace in their 2-1 Champions League win over Sporting.

If he was to move to the Serie A giants, Mainoo would currently not be able to wear his preferred squad number of 37.

That number is worn by defender Leonardo Spinazzola, with the Italian the first-choice option at right-back under Antonio Conte.

The 32-year-old has worn the same squad number since signing for Atalanta in 2016 - meaning it would surely take some significant convincing for him to relinquish it.

However, Mainoo likely would not even begin a conversation with the Italy international.

At a United fans' Q&A in April 2024, he was asked about why he wore the number 37 - to which he responded: "It's the number I was given! I didn't really have a choice.

"I was 73 and, to be honest, I didn't really mind what number I changed to this season. Just give me 37."