Manchester United have poached both Chido Obi-Martin and Ayden Heaven from Arsenal in the past 12 months, and this summer could be the perfect opportunity for the Gunners to enact their revenge.
With both Thomas Partey and Jorginho set to become free agents at the end of the season, Mikel Arteta’s side will look to bring in a new midfielder this summer, and they could be alerted to the availability of a for-sale star at one of their fiercest rivals.
According to Sky Sports Germany, United are ‘planning’ for a host of players to leave Old Trafford at the end of the season to raise funds for new signings. Casemiro, Marcus Rashford and Victor Lindelof are among those named as set to exit, as well as Kobbie Mainoo.
Despite previously being untouchable at the Theatre of Dreams, the playmaker now looks set to leave his boyhood club. Mainoo has two years left on his deal with the Red Devils, and reports have claimed that talks over an extension are at a standoff.
As such, Arsenal have the ideal opportunity to pounce and reunite Mainoo with international team-mate Declan Rice.
The pair were partnered in midfield at Euro 2016, with Gareth Southgate finally settling on the duo in the Round of 16. The partnership then remained intact for the remainder of the competition, with the Three Lions losing 201 to Spain in the final.
Rice and Mainoo provided balance in England’s attacking side, with both players capable of making an impact in the final third as well as dropping deeper when required to protect the backline both in and out of possession.
Chelsea also hold Mainoo in high regard, but the prospect of joining a title-contending side where there is a clear pathway towards featuring regularly could prove decisive if Arsenal do decide that they want to attempt to help the 19-year-old elevate his career at the Emirates Stadium.
Mainoo does not appear to have a role in Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3 system, lacking the creativity to play as a No. 10 and not having the profile to rotate with either Manuel Ugarte or Bruno Fernandes as one of his two deeper midfielders. Thus, he could be made available for a cut-price figure.
Playing in a three-man midfield looks ideal for the teenager and Arteta will have seen first-hand how well Rice and Mainoo can play together on the limited timeframes that international tournaments provide, and the latter’s availability could be enough to push Arsenal to pull the trigger on signing another young, Premier League talent.