Barcelona and Chelsea have suffered a blow in their pursuit of Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, as he is keen on joining Real Madrid.
Kobbie Mainoo’s future has been a massive talking point for months. He has gone down the pecking order under Ruben Amorim and is reportedly ready to part ways with his childhood club in search of a prominent role.
Barcelona and Chelsea are two clubs that are keen on signing the Manchester United sensation, but according to a report from DefensaCentral, both clubs have received a massive setback as Mainoo would love to make a move to Real Madrid.
Mainoo was a regular feature in their XI under Erik ten Hag, but a lot has changed since Ruben Amorim took charge. The Portuguese manager only has a place for two midfielders in his system, and he wants them to be equally effective on both ends of the pitch.
While the 20-year-old is an exceptional talent, Amorim feels he is not ready to start games just yet. He has racked up just 138 minutes in his seven league appearances this season. Given the lack of minutes, he has been constantly linked with a move away with the World Cup coming up next summer.
European giants are keen on signing Mainoo
Mainoo would love to succeed at Manchester United, but with game time hard to come by, he is ready to make a move away from the club. The United graduate is open to a loan move as well as a permanent move away, amidst interest from the likes of Barcelona and Chelsea.
A potential transfer could cost close to €90 million, with his contract running until 2027, and the club having an option to extend it by 12 months. The Blues consider him an ideal fit for their project, and given his Premier League experience, he could straightaway slot into their team.
Mainoo wants Real Madrid
Meanwhile, the Catalan giants are looking to strengthen their midfield rotation, and Mainoo could be a great investment for the long run. While both clubs are keen, they might struggle to lure him away as the 20-year-old would prefer joining Real Madrid.
The Spanish giants have also been linked with the youngster, and they do need a new defensive midfielder. It’s not yet certain that they will push for his signature anytime soon, but the report does make it clear that Mainoo would be delighted to join Los Blancos if the opportunity presents itself.