Paul Pogba 2.0: Man United star could make January move after his ‘transfer request’
Kobbie Mainoo could be about to follow in the footsteps of Paul Pogba as he potentially swaps Man United for Juventus in the upcoming January window.
Kobbie Mainoo’s future was up in the air throughout the summer and he looked set to depart Man United close to the deadline after a lack of minutes at the start of the season.
Mainoo requested to leave Man United on loan just before the window closed, but boss Ruben Amorim insisted that he wanted him to stay and “fight for his place” in the team.
The 20-year-old has still barely featured amid injury issues, with just nine appearances in all competitions so far this term and no starts in the Premier League as yet.
Football Insider recently revealed that Man United have halted contract talks with Mainoo amid uncertainty about his future at Old Trafford, and Serie A seems a likely destination with yet another Italian club interested in his services.
Juventus are interested in Mainoo with ‘Pogba 2.0’ move mooted
Mainoo came on off the bench against Everton on Monday (24 November) for his first appearance in nearly a month, but failed to make an impact in his half-hour showing as United were beaten 1-0.
Italian outlet Tutto Juve have now reported that Juventus are interested in the 20-year-old and could attempt a “Pogba 2.0” move in the January window as he seeks a move away.
Pogba joined Juve from United back in 2012 on a free transfer and went on to become a key player in the next four seasons at the club before re-joining the Red Devils in 2016 for a then-world-record fee of £89.3million.
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Amorim recently insisted that the club’s needs will come before Mainoo’s regarding whether he is allowed to leave in the new year, saying: “I understand the frustration of some players, seeing the World Cup is there. I know what it means.
“But the first thing is that the club comes first. If I can help the club and the players, I will be happy. If not I have to think about the team.”
Napoli have been linked to Mainoo amid preferred destination reveal
Mainoo wants to leave in the new year, but they will likely need to bring in a new midfielder if he leaves, with Conor Gallagher recently linked to United as a result.
Recent reports have stated that Napoli is Mainoo’s preferred club to join in January as he aims to link back up with Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund at the Serie A champions.
They were known to be interested in his services at the end of the summer window, and Napoli have maintained contact with Mainoo’s camp ahead of a potential mid-season move.
A tug-of-war could now unfold as Juventus register their interest in the England man, and it may well be left to him to decide who to join if United definitely allow him to depart.