European Powerhouses Battle for Kobbie Mainoo in Dramatic Transfer Scramble
Kobbie Mainoo appears increasingly set to depart Manchester United during the transfer window's closing days, with numerous sources indicating he may secure an affordable transfer to a top European club.
Just twelve months prior, Mainoo featured in England's starting lineup against Spain in the Euro 2024 championship match. Several months before that, he netted the winning goal as United defeated Manchester City to claim the FA Cup trophy at Wembley. Club legend Paul Scholes praised him as "the closest thing I've witnessed to [Zinedine] Zidane" without facing widespread mockery.
Mainoo might still fulfill that promise at Zidane's former team Real Madrid as he moves toward an unfortunate departure from Old Trafford. The Daily Mail identifies Xabi Alonso's capital powerhouse and cross-town competitors Atlético Madrid among the clubs showing strong interest in the 20-year-old talent.
The coverage indicates that Real would prefer a temporary arrangement over a permanent transfer. Alonso's team has been expected to pursue a central midfielder as they continue seeking Toni Kroos' replacement, especially if Dani Ceballos has truly performed his "final performance" at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Nevertheless, should any of Mainoo's numerous other admirers choose to pursue a permanent deal, the cost wouldn't be excessive. United had reportedly been seeking up to £70 million ($94 million) for their homegrown talent when speculation about a Chelsea transfer emerged in January, but their valuation has dropped to merely £45 million or potentially lower, per The Athletic.
The same publication reports that Mainoo is focusing on a transfer beyond the Premier League and characterizes the midfielder as "extremely dissatisfied" with his limited opportunities under Ruben Amorim.
The new Portuguese manager initially appreciated Mainoo and his distinctive ball-handling abilities. Nevertheless, Amorim subsequently stated that the England player was "having significant difficulties defending as a midfielder" last campaign and repositioned him nearer to the attacking third. The forward line has been entirely rebuilt through a £200 million summer investment in Benjamin Šeško, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, forcing Mainoo to compete with Bruno Fernandes for minutes in the center of midfield.
"He is competing for the spot now with Bruno," Amorim remarked this weekend. "As it should be at Manchester United."