Napoli have not dismissed the possibility of pursuing Kobbie Mainoo on loan as the Manchester United midfielder seeks regular playing time. Mainoo has struggled for minutes under Ruben Amorim and is reported to favour a temporary move abroad when the January transfer window opens, with links to Napoli and Bayern Munich.

Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna spoke to Sky Sport Italia about the club’s potential involvement, suggesting any approach would be evaluated. “He is a player who has been linked to Napoli since August, also for his age, his potential, and the transfer opportunity,” Manna said. “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.”

The interest is framed by recent business between the two clubs. Napoli have taken Scott McTominay and Rasmus Højlund from Manchester United in the past couple of years, moves that the Italian club will be conscious of as they weigh any further activity.

Reports in the Daily Mail indicate Mainoo has chosen Napoli as his preferred destination and that “at least 12 clubs” could show interest if Manchester United permit a loan. The player was thought to have been keen on a move to Naples over the summer as well. Any transfer is likely to depend on United’s willingness to engage and whether the club requires a replacement first. It has also been suggested a decision on Mainoo might be delayed until after Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo return from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Mainoo’s limited appearances this season have prompted questions whenever Amorim has faced the media. On the topic, the United boss said: “I see it. I just want to win, I try to put the players, I don’t look who it is, I don’t care about that, I’m just trying to put the best players on the pitch,” reinforcing that selection is based on performance and team needs.

Pep Guardiola’s warm appraisal of Rodrygo after a recent match has renewed speculation about the Brazil international’s future. Guardiola spoke with Rodrygo after the game and made his admiration clear: “I told Rodrygo how good he is,” the City boss revealed. “He’s a player of another level… this guy is a player on another level. I’m glad he’s back from injury. He’s very, very good.”

The remarks came after a display that represented one of Rodrygo’s best nights in months. Deployed on his unfavored right wing, he opened the scoring with a crisp swipe into the bottom corner to end a record-breaking eight-month goal drought. He also created the game’s most chances — five in total, all of which were squandered — and won the most free kicks. Despite those contributions, and his own admission that “it wasn’t enough” to avoid defeat, Madrid fell 2–1.

Guardiola’s praise will inevitably stir headlines because City have long felt the sting of Rodrygo’s interventions. He scored twice in the final minutes of the 2022 Champions League semifinal to drag Real Madrid back into contention, and he found the net in both legs of the 2024 quarterfinal. That history, combined with summer reports that City were among suitors when his future at Madrid looked uncertain, means any public endorsement from Guardiola is likely to be noticed.

Rodrygo himself has sought to focus on his club responsibilities. Having struggled for a starting berth this term, he pledged to knuckle down under Alonso and made a point of celebrating his goal with the manager. “I liked his performance,” Alonso said of Rodrygo. “The goal was a consequence of other things he did well. It’s one of today’s good pieces of news to see him with that individual quality, that flair, and he also scored, which was important for him. ]

The combination of a decisive individual performance, a high-profile admirer, and a recent transfer backdrop ensures the conversation around Rodrygo’s next steps will continue. For now, the immediate focus remains on his form and fitness.

Mohamed Salah’s recent public complaint that the Reds have been “under the bus” has forced a swift reassessment of his standing at Liverpool. The club are reported to still want to keep the forward, but the situation has accelerated into something described internally as bewildering.

Salah rarely addresses the media, yet similar pressure was applied last season during talks that eventually produced a two-year deal thought to be worth more than £41 million ($54.8 million). His current contract has around 18 months to run and the club viewed his absence from the starting lineup as temporary.

The Athletic has reported that the perception among other clubs and agents, including some with “direct knowledge” of Liverpool, is that Salah either wants to force a transfer or is applying pressure on Slot, who is already feeling scrutiny because of poor results this season. There is an acknowledgement inside Liverpool that a continued hardline stance from Salah could render his place at the club untenable if no resolution is reached.

For now the ball is said to be in Salah’s court, though his immediate focus may turn to international duty as he prepares to join Egypt for the Africa Cup of Nations. Jamie Carragher has pointed out that Salah is searching for his first international title.

Reports suggest Salah’s outside options are limited. Saudi clubs were keen before he committed his future to Liverpool in April, and Al Hilal or Al Ittihad are presented as more plausible Saudi destinations than Al Nassr. Al Hilal could offer a reunion with Darwin Núñez. “Mohamed Salah is welcome in the Saudi League, but it is the clubs that are responsible for negotiating with players. For sure Salah is [a target],” SPL chief executive Omar Mugharbel confirmed this week.

Major League Soccer interest has been reported, though any move there would require an available Designated Player slot. Inter Miami are thought to have plans for theirs, while Chicago Fire and San Diego FC have been mentioned as more feasible destinations. Leaving Europe would mean departing the highest competitive level of club football, a significant consideration for a 33-year-old player still in good physical condition.