Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is in demand after falling down the pecking order at Old Trafford but one of his potential suitors could have an alternative
Napoli have been keeping tabs on Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo as speculation grows over a January swoop, but he isn’t their only target. Feyenoord star Quinten Timber is another option for the Serie A holders, it has been claimed.
Timber, 24, is the twin brother of Arsenal defender Jurrien. He has captained Feyenoord since early last season and scored his first senior goal for the Netherlands in a World Cup qualifier against Lithuania in September.
According to reports in Italy, Timber’s contract situation has made him a tempting target for the Partenopei. There is said to be a feeling that a cut-price bid might be accepted by Feyenoord to prevent him leaving on a free in the summer.
Napoli’s need for midfield reinforcements has grown more urgent in recent weeks. Kevin De Bruyne is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering an injury scoring for his club, while Frank Anguissa’s hamstring injury is expected to keep the Cameroon international out of action until February.
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Napoli’s interest in Mainoo has been a talking point for much of the season. The England international starred for his national team at Euro 2024 but a lack of club minutes this term has seen him fall down the pecking order in the lead-up to the World Cup.
Antonio Conte’s side swooped in for Mainoo’s former United team-mate Scott McTominay in 2024, with the Scot’s goals helping fire them to the title last term. They returned to the source over the summer, bringing in Rasmus Hojlund on a season-long loan, and the Danish striker has scored four times in 10 appearances this term.
Mainoo isn’t the only United fringe player attracting interest, with Roma among a string of clubs keen on scarcely-used forward Joshua Zirkzee. However, head coach Ruben Amorim was non-committal in October when discussing whether he would allow players to leave in the January window.
“That is normal, and I also know that in our club, everything is a lot of noise, and you have to have news, and players are not playing. They want to play,” Amorim said. “Like you said, there’s a World Cup. There are agents that listen to the players talking all the time. So, I understand that but they are our players, and we need everyone to have a good season.”
Discussing Mainoo specifically, he 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.”
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