There is interest in Kobbie Mainoo from as many as 10 clubs as Manchester United face a huge decision on the midfielder’s future.
The 20-year-old became an integral figure for the Red Devils under Erik ten Hag but has fallen down the pecking order under Ruben Amorim.
The England international has not been able to find himself a place in Amorim’s preferred 3-4-2-1 formation, with the manager saying he is competing with captain Bruno Fernandes for a spot in the starting XI.
‘Bruno and Kobbie are in the same position,’ Amorim stated during the pre-season tour of America.
Given Fernandes has been the talisman for the team since his arrival from Sporting in 2020, in competition with him is not a good place to be in.
Your ultimate guide to the football season
Metro’s football newsletter: In The Mixer. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every Friday – sign up, it’s an open goal.
It has been a sharp drop off for the young midfielder, who was touted as a big part of the future for both Manchester United and England, but is now struggling for minutes.
Mainoo has not featured in either of Manchester United’s Premier League games so far this season, although is likely to play at Grimsby Town in the League Cup on Wednesday.
That is not the kind of fixture likely to get the juices flowing for the midfielder and a move is a possibility with plenty of interest in him.
The Daily Mail report that 10 clubs are keen on signing Mainoo if indeed he is available this summer.
Whether a deal could be struck with just days left of the transfer window is not clear, as the Red Devils would expect a large fee for the young talent, despite him not fitting in their plans.
The Guardian report that Mainoo is keen to explore a move elsewhere to find the game time he is lacking at Old Trafford.
There is just two years left on his current contract with the Red Devils, but the club does have the option to extend by a further 12 months.
Chelsea have been linked with having an interest in Mainoo, although a switch to Stamford Bridge seems unlikely in this window as they move for other targets.
One of those is another Manchester United talent in Alejandro Garnacho, who has been entirely removed from Amorim’s first team plans.
The Argentina international appears to have played his last game for the Red Devils after being left out of their pre-season plans and not featuring in squads so far during the campaign, but a deal to sell him is proving tricky to secure.
Manchester United value the 21-year-old at £50m, while Chelsea want to pay £35m for him, which is quite a gap to bridge in the coming days if a move is to be secured.
The Blues are looking to sell a number of players in the coming days to help balance the books, with the likes of Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku, Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell and Axel Disasi all available.
