Newcastle United and Aston Villa have emerged as fresh contenders to sign Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo in January, according to Sunday Mirror (page 68).
The England international has endured a difficult start to the campaign under manager Ruben Amorim, and he has managed only 113 minutes in the Premier League thus far.
Mainoo is the fourth-choice central midfielder in the squad with Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte ahead of him in the pecking order at the current point in time.
It is now reported that the United graduate is keen on a fresh challenge away from United in January.
He wants to give himself the best chance of making England’s World Cup squad under Thomas Tuchel.
Napoli are leading the race for the Englishman after a failed summer move, but they are not alone.
Newcastle and Villa have also been mentioned as candidates to sign the 20-year-old sensation.
Mainoo could be loaned out if a new midfielder is signed
Mainoo pushed for a loan departure before the summer transfer deadline, but United were quite clear that they would not entertain any temporary or permanent offers for him.
The £44 million-rated star has since struggled to break into Amorim’s plans on a regular basis. He came on as a late substitute during the recent 2-0 league win over Sunderland at Old Trafford.
Amorim has quite clearly said that Mainoo is competing with Fernandes for the number eight role.
Fernandes has been an undisputed starter, being the club captain and a regular goal contributor. Hence, Mainoo’s prospects of breaking into the starting XI appear bleak at the moment.
Mainoo plans to pursue a new challenge in January, but a loan exit may depend on a replacement being secured. United should ideally recruit a top-quality defensive midfielder without breaking the bank.
The Red Devils were linked with Sevilla’s Lucien Agoume earlier this summer, and they should seek to land his services in the next transfer window ahead of league rivals Arsenal.
Newcastle and Villa have been linked with Mainoo, but United could prefer sending him abroad as the Premier League duo are competitors for the European qualification spots.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com