Napoli believe they remain in with a chance of signing Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo in the January transfer window, according to reports.
The Serie A champions held talks to sign the 20-year-old in the summer but had to change their transfer plans following Romelu Lukaku’s injury and opted to sign Rasmus Hojlund from United instead.
Mainoo has become concerned over his lack of regular playing time under Ruben Amorim and had also attracted interest from Tottenham, Aston Villa and Everton in the summer.
So far this season, Mainoo is yet to start a Premier League game and his only full 90 minutes has come in the surprise penalty shootout defeat to Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup last month.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Napoli will reignite their interest in Mainoo in the January window and there is a confidence that a deal can be agreed.
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The report claims that Napoli feel that United would accept a loan bid for the remainder of the season if it does not include an option to buy.
Napoli agreed an initial loan deal with United for Hojlund in the closing stages of the summer window but that includes an obligation to buy clause which will see the striker make a permanent £38m transfer to Antonio Conte’s side next summer.
Speaking last month, Amorim insisted that Mainoo needed to improve in order to secure more playing time at United.
‘Like a lot of guys, he wants to play more,’ Amorim said.
‘I believe a lot in Kobbie but some of you think that Kobbie Mainoo is already done. I think he can do so much better. He can improve in a lot.
‘And sometimes I think for some guys it’s [the level he’s playing at now] enough. For him, it’s not enough. Maybe it’s not fair but I think I’m helping Kobbie Mainoo and that’s it.
‘He will have opportunities like the other guys. If I feel during the week that he’s the best player to play, he’s going to play and I proved that already to every player here.
‘I believe a lot in him. I have the same thing [opinion] that you have and that is a top, top player, but he can be so much better, so I’m focused on that.’
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