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Napoli set to beat Tottenham to PL star in January; player keen to move to Italy

Originally posted on To The Lane And Back
By Aaryan Choksi | Last updated Oct 8, 2025 10:10 AM ET

Kobbie Mainoo could be Napoli bound as Tottenham Hotspur circle

Tottenham have enjoyed a fantastic start to the new season under Thomas Frank. The Lilywhites are unbeaten in their last seven matches across all competitions and have climbed to third place in the Premier League table. They now sit just two points behind league leaders Arsenal — a clear indication of how far the North London club has progressed under the Danish tactician’s guidance.

Frank made it clear at the start of the season that he wanted his side to compete strongly on all four fronts. Many doubted his ambition at the time, dismissing his words as overly optimistic. Yet, to his credit, the former Brentford boss has stayed true to his promise so far, guiding Spurs to a brilliant opening phase of the campaign.

However, there are still a few areas that need addressing in the upcoming January transfer window if Tottenham are to build on last season’s Europa League success. The Lilywhites are prioritising reinforcements in the No.8 position to provide Frank with the depth and flexibility required to sustain their momentum throughout the second half of the season.

Tottenham fall behind in the race for Kobbie Mainoo

Recent reports have suggested that Tottenham are once again interested in signing Manchester United prodigy Kobbie Mainoo this January, after failing to secure his signature in the summer. The England international has reportedly reiterated his desire to leave Old Trafford after holding fresh talks with United boss Ruben Amorim. Mainoo is eager for more regular game time in the second half of the campaign — something Spurs are prepared to offer under Thomas Frank’s management.

However, the North London club has faced a massive setback in its efforts to land the 20-year-old. As per Sky Sports France, Napoli have re-entered the race to land Kobbie Mainoo in the winter as they look to bolster their midfield department. The Serie A giants are in pole position to land him, with a loan move being considered to secure his services. They are also willing to give him the game time that he needs to rejuvenate his stalled career.

Spurs will need to act swiftly if they want to bring Mainoo to N17 in the coming months. The England midfielder would add a fresh dynamic to Tottenham’s engine room, with his ability to operate effectively in tight spaces and carry the ball from deep positions. Moreover, his vision and capacity to deliver precise long-range passes could prove invaluable in helping Spurs maintain control in possession and transition play.

The only downside to the deal is that Mainoo is not currently open to leaving Manchester United on a permanent basis. His long-term goal remains to establish himself as a first-team regular at Old Trafford next season, following a potential loan spell elsewhere in the second half of the current campaign. That means, if Spurs do manage to sign him in January, it would likely be a short-term arrangement.

This article first appeared on To The Lane And Back and was syndicated with permission.

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