Napoli director will ‘evaluate’ Mainoo opportunity in January

Napoli director of sport Giovanni Manna admits they will ‘make the right evaluations’ over Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo in January.

It kicks off at the Estadio da Luz at 20.00 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Juventus-Pafos on the Liveblog.

ROME, ITALY – NOVEMBER 30: Antonio Conte, Head Coach of Napoli, gestures to his players during the Serie A match between AS Roma and SSC Napoli at Stadio Olimpico on November 30, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

The Partenopei are in the thick of an injury crisis that has been particularly focused on the midfielders.

They go into tonight’s Champions League clash with Benfica missing Stanislav Lobotka, Billy Gilmour, Kevin De Bruyne, Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, Miguel Gutierrez and Romelu Lukaku.

Manna admits Mainoo links with Napoli

GRIMSBY, ENGLAND – AUGUST 27: Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United looks on during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Grimsby Town and Manchester United at Blundell Park on August 27, 2025 in Grimsby, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Considering the lack of alternatives, Napoli have been linked with a possible January swoop for Manchester United talent Mainoo.

“He is a player who has been linked to Napoli since August, also for his age, his potential, and the transfer opportunity,” noted Manna on Sky Sport Italia.

“This team is doing well, it is consolidated. We have some important absences right now, but sooner or later the lads will return, strong and determined.

“We have to make the right evaluations, so we’ll see how things progress along the way.”

NAPLES, ITALY – DECEMBER 07: Rasmus Hojlund of SSC Napoli scores his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Juventus FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on December 07, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, they play against Benfica with the same starting XI that beat Juventus in Serie A at the weekend.

“It is a tough game against a complicated opponent in an intense atmosphere. We’ve got limited options in midfield, but that is not an alibi,” insisted Manna.

“We’ve got to congratulate the lads and the coach, as they managed to come together during a difficult moment. We are proud of them, just as we were before.”