SSC Napoli news

Manchester United are reportedly still refusing to green-light January exits for Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee, despite their wishes to leave Old Trafford amid Serie A transfer interest. Both players have struggled to fit into Ruben Amorim's plans, but the club hierarchy does not want to sanction their sales in the winter window.

Aurelio De Laurentiis has launched a passionate defence of Jose Mourinho following Napoli's Champions League defeat to Benfica. The Napoli president slammed critics who believe the Portuguese tactician is 'finished', claiming that European football culture seeks to 'bury' winners out of envy, whereas they would be celebrated as icons in the United States.

Aurelio De Laurentiis has reignited the rivalry with former manager Luciano Spalletti, now at Juventus. The Napoli president claimed the recent Serie A title under Antonio Conte was 'the real Scudetto' compared to the 'obvious' victory secured by his predecessor, insisting the cinematic drama of last season's 'blockbuster' battle made it superior to the dominance of the 2023 campaign.

Jose Mourinho has revealed the hilarious reason he took Scott McTominay's shirt after the Champions League tie between Benfica and Napoli. After Benfica’s impressive 2-0 win, a result crafted through goals from Richard Rios and Leandro Barreiro, the Portuguese coach amused reporters by revealing an unexpected keepsake hidden inside a small bag he carried into the press conference.

Jose Mourinho has dismissed Antonio Conte’s claims that fatigue played a decisive role in Napoli’s 2-0 defeat to Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday. The Portuguese manager insisted his tactical decisions were the key difference, labelling his counterpart's complaints about the fixture schedule as little more than an "excuse" after the Serie A leaders were beaten in Lisbon.

Jose Mourinho has revealed what was said during his post-match chat with Scott McTominay, with the Benfica boss getting one over on his former Manchester United charge in a Champions League clash with Napoli. Scotland international McTominay is now starring in Italy, with his old boss at Old Trafford using the 29-year-old as an example to the teenage hopefuls he is helping to bring through in Lisbon.

Out-of-favour Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has picked his favourite destination after as many as 12 clubs made transfer enquiries for the young English star. Mainoo is desperate for an escape route from Old Trafford after failing to accumulate enough game time under Ruben Amorim this season as the Portuguese coach prefers Bruno Fernandes in the central midfield role alongside Casemiro.

Fabio Capello has delivered a damning verdict on Juventus' tactical failure against Napoli, suggesting that Luciano Spalletti’s side played with fear against Antonio Conte’s high-flying team. The Bianconeri were simply unable to cope with the "speed and pressure" imposed by the hosts during a damaging defeat that may prove key in the Serie A title race, the ex-England manager argued.

Napoli have reportedly identified Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo as their primary January transfer target, with manager Antonio Conte desperate to sign the 20-year-old on loan to cover for a midfield crisis that has seen Frank Anguissa, Kevin De Bruyne and Billy Gilmour all sidelined.

GOAL runs the rule over the British players earning a living away from their homeland, with plenty more stars deciding to leave their comfort zones in search of a better footballing life elsewhere. The Premier League is still obviously one of the world's most entertaining divisions and the Championship can prove fantastic for development, but there are more options out there.

Juventus' team bus was pelted with rocks before entering the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona for a crucial Napoli clash in the Serie A on Sunday. Luciano Spaletti returned to his former club after a gap of two years as he entered Napoli's home as a rival manager. The Bianconeri took adequate safety measures to avoid hostilities but their vehicle was still attacked right before the game.

Napoli identify West Ham ace as a potential alternative to Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo as the reigning Italian champions eye midfield reinforcements in the January transfer window. Antonio Conte wants a new midfield option in the upcoming window following a devastating injury to their star player, Kevin De Bruyne, which could potentially rule him out of action for the season.

Brenden Aaronson is fighting for minutes at Leeds, Johnny Cardoso needs fitness at Atlético, and both Weston McKennie and Haji Wright have chances to make statements in key matches across Europe.