. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Napoli are making fresh preparations to sign Coby Mainu from Manchester United in the January window.
With the African Cup of Nations looming and Franck Anguissa set to join Cameroon, the Serie A champions are prioritizing midfield reinforcements to defend their title and protect their European ambitions.
Mainu, 20, was the subject of loan talks in the summer but remains high on Napoli’s list after some subdued performances at United.
Manchester United have no intention of selling Koby Mainu
However, recent signs at Old Trafford suggest United are keen to retain their youngster, even if it means reducing the midfielder’s minutes.
Napoli’s interest in Mainu is not new. They tried to sign him in the summer transfer window, but manager Ruben Amorim decided to keep the midfielder at the club in order to maintain the squad’s depth.
For Napoli, Anguissa’s absence from the AFCON increases the need for a reliable No. 8 and No. 6 hybrid who can line up alongside a deeper controller or anchor the midfield when games get tense.
Italian clubs are considering loans in the summer and it is expected that a similar structure, either a straight loan or a loan with performance-related clauses, will be proposed again.
Napoli are expected to make a move to sign Mainu in the near future.
United’s attitude complicates matters. Mainu is considered one of the club’s most talented players of the current generation.
The Red Devils are already preparing for international call-ups in other positions and are reluctant to reduce their squad midway through the season, especially as injuries and rotations are inevitable.
United’s desire to keep the player suggests that any deal would require strong guarantees, a significant loan fee, a clear usage plan and perhaps no buyout option in order to be on the table.
Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider previously described Maynou as a “talented” player.
Manchester United considering January offer of £44m for ‘full package’ priority target
