Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is set to revive his push for a loan exit in January, with Napoli emerging as his preferred destination—although the situation could shift dramatically if Real Madrid enter the race, according to reports.
The 20-year-old England international asked to leave Old Trafford temporarily in August after falling down the pecking order under new manager Ruben Amorim.
However, United blocked the move due to a lack of midfield cover. Since then, Mainoo has played just 190 minutes across all competitions this season, with only 15 starts since November 2024.
Napoli remain keen on bringing the youngster to Serie A, offering him the chance to reunite with former United teammates Scott McTominay and Rasmus Højlund, who have both impressed since swapping Old Trafford for Naples.
Yet Real Madrid are now monitoring developments closely. Manager Xabi Alonso is understood to want a young deep-lying midfielder to ease the transition following the departures of Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić. While dream targets include Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, and Rodri, Los Blancos may consider Mainoo a more attainable option.
Atlético Madrid have also been credited with interest, potentially creating a fascinating situation involving Conor Gallagher.
United failed with a Deadline Day bid for the ex-Chelsea midfielder, who has struggled for minutes at the Metropolitano, though no swap deal with Mainoo is currently on the table.
Meanwhile, United’s long-term pursuit of Brighton’s Carlos Baleba—whose £100 million ($134.5m) price tag halted negotiations in the summer—could influence their willingness to sanction Mainoo’s departure next year.
For now, Napoli remain front-runners for his signature, but a call from Madrid could tempt the highly rated midfielder toward the Bernabéu.
