Napoli close to signing Man United star

Manchester United will hope to build on their victory over Liverpool when they face Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday. 

The Red Devils defeated the Premier League champions 2-1 at Anfield on Sunday, ending Ruben Amorim’s wait for successive Premier League victories as head coach of the club.

That result lifted United up to ninth in the Premier League table, and Amorim will want to see his side kick on in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, however, it has emerged that one of Europe’s biggest clubs are closing in on a deal for one of United’s most talented players.

According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Italian champions Napoli are ‘very close’ to agreeing a deal to sign United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo on loan for the remainder of the current campaign.

Mainoo, 20, is a product of United’s youth system and enjoyed an outstanding breakthrough season a couple of years ago.

Mainoo could be on his way out of Old Trafford in January (Photo: Action Plus Sports Images/Alamy)

His form earned him a regular place in Gareth Southgate’s England team at Euro 2024, but since the arrival of Amorim at Old Trafford last November the midfielder has found his playing time limited.

So far this term the midfielder has failed to start a single one of United’s eight Premier League matches.

The report claims that the player is desperate to play regularly in the build up to next summer’s World Cup in the United States, in an effort to maximise his chances of being selected in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.

With that in mind, Mainoo pushed for a move away from United over the summer, but the Red Devils refused his requests.

Now, it is claimed that Napoli believe negotiations are going ‘smoothly’, with the deal likely to be agreed if United are willing to let Mainoo leave on loan without an option-to-buy clause being included.