Napoli identify three January alternatives to Man United’s Mainoo

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Lorenzo Bettoni | Last updated Nov 19, 2025 9:49 AM ET

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo remains a primary January target for Napoli, but according to Gazzetta, the Partenopei are also looking to Lorenzo Pellegrini, Morten Frendrup and Arthur Atta.

Napoli will sign at least one new central midfielder in the winter transfer window, and Manchester United’s Mainoo has long been on the Partenopei’s agenda.

Napoli to sign a central midfielder in January

BOLOGNA, ITALY – NOVEMBER 09: Antonio Conte, Head Coach of Napoli, looks on prior to the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and SSC Napoli at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on November 09, 2025 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

According to Gazzetta, the defending champions would have signed Mainoo last summer if it weren’t for Romelu Lukaku’s injury, which forced Napoli to put all their budget on a new centre-forward, Rasmus Hojlund.

Multiple sources claim that Mainoo wants to leave Old Trafford in January, even on loan, to get more playing time in the second part of the campaign.

As Football Italia reported last week, Roma are also interested in the 20-year-old Manchester United midfielder.

Napoli’s three alternatives to Mainoo

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – APRIL 09: Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United looks on during a training session ahead of their UEFA Europa League 2024/25 quarter final first leg match at Carrington Training Ground on April 09, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)

And a Roma player, Pellegrini, is one of Napoli’s potential targets in the middle of the park if they fail to get Mainoo.

The Italian midfielder’s contract at the Olimpico expires in June 2026 and is unlikely to be renewed. Furthermore, according to Gazzetta, Genoa’s Frendrup and Udinese’s Atta are also on Napoli’s radars as alternatives to Mainoo.

Source: Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper, November 19, 2025. Page 23

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

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