Transfer News
Kobbie Mainoo Transfer Odds: Napoli Favourite to Sign United Midfielder
Napoli have emerged as clear favourites to sign Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo before the 3 February 2026 deadline, with the Serie A side now priced at even money to get a deal done. Interest from Italy has been bubbling for months, but recent reports that Napoli are ready to reshape their midfield – and that Mainoo is open to a move abroad for regular minutes – have seen their price shorten and the market swing firmly in their favour.
The 20-year-old has endured a frustrating campaign at Old Trafford, slipping down the pecking order and seeing a potential loan move blocked earlier in the season. With Manchester United needing to refresh the squad, Mainoo has become a realistic saleable asset, prompting a flurry of speculation around his next destination and placed him as one of the most likely transfers according to the betting.
Napoli’s (EVS) track record of rehabilitating former United players and offering immediate first-team exposure makes them an appealing option for both player and club.
Premier League interest is still very much alive, but the odds suggest domestic suitors are playing catch-up. Chelsea (8/1), long linked with Mainoo and widely reported to have sounded out his camp, sit behind the Italians in the betting, while Tottenham (10/1), Brighton (14/1) and other Premier League outfits are priced as outside possibilities rather than front-rank contenders.
United’s preference to sell abroad rather than strengthen a domestic rival further tilts the balance towards a move to Serie A, particularly if a sizeable fee and favourable add-ons are put on the table.
From a stylistic perspective, Mainoo looks a strong fit for Napoli’s midfield model: energetic, technically secure and capable of operating both as a deep-lying playmaker and as a more advanced link between the lines.
For Napoli, still competing on multiple fronts and reshaping an ageing core, the chance to add a young, high-upside England international on a long-term deal explains why they are willing to push harder – and why the market has reacted accordingly.
For punters, the key question is whether United will ultimately green-light a mid-season exit. Some reports suggest new interim boss Michael Carrick is keen to keep Mainoo and build a midfield around him, which would throw a major spanner in the works for any January move.
Until there is clarity from Old Trafford, the prices reflect both Napoli’s strong position and the inherent uncertainty of a winter transfer involving a highly rated homegrown player.
Latest Odds – Kobbie Mainoo to sign for before 3 February 2026:
- Napoli – EVS
- Chelsea – 8/1
- Tottenham – 10/1
- Brighton – 14/1
- Everton – 14/1
- Crystal Palace – 14/1
- West Ham – 16/1
- Leeds – 22/1
- Arsenal – 28/1
- Fulham – 33/1
*Odds correct at time of writing.
The market shows just how far ahead Napoli currently are in the race for Mainoo’s signature, with a broad chasing pack needing either a breakdown in talks or a late shift in United’s stance to have any realistic chance of hijacking the deal. But, we know that anything is possible when it comes to transfers, so watch this space for any drastic moves in the market.
