Manchester United could sell Kobbie Mainoo to Chelsea in order to fund a move for an exciting new midfielder in 2026.
Man United squad in need of new signings
The Red Devils are preparing to face Bournemouth on Monday amid several availability concerns for Ruben Amorim.
Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt remain absent for the Cherries' trip to Old Trafford, but striker Benjamin Sesko could feature after a foot injury.
There remain doubts over whether Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo can feature before jetting off to the Africa Cup of Nations, but Amorim is hopeful United can cope without them.
Mason Mount is among those the Portuguese is sure to lean on, especially after putting in a man-of-the-match display at Molineux on Monday.
Mason Mount scores for Man United
“He’s a very, very smart player,” Amorim said. “He’s really technical because sometimes to be a technical player is not just having fun with the ball – it’s the quality of the pass, the reception, how to receive the ball. In these things he’s really smart.
“He can balance our team quite well so he’s a very good player.”
INEOS want to strengthen the manager's squad in the upcoming transfer windows while maintaing financial stability, and are now eyeing one of the Premier League's rising stars.
Mainoo sale set to fund move for Wharton
Former Everton CEO Keith Wyness told Football Insider he's heard United are lining up a one in, one out swap of two England internationals.
"I think it’s very unfair and I think that Mainoo, look, he’s a squandered talent in that sense. I just don’t think he’s, for some reason, he hasn’t caught [Ruben] Amorim’s eye. He thinks he doesn’t fit the style.
“I think that they decided that Adam Wharton is going to be one of their targets and I think that Mainoo may find himself reinventing himself at Chelsea.
“That’s where I see the situation going and that’s the whispers I’ve been hearing. I think it would be good for Mainoo. I think he needs to get out of there and move forward.”
The Guardian have also confirmed United's interest in Wharton, alongside Liverpool and Real Madrid, with Crystal Palace set to demand "more than £80m".
Wharton's camp have made no secret of his desire to play Champions League football, with agent James Featherstone telling talkSPORT last week: "We've got a plan. It doesn't have to be achieved right at this moment.
"He's got his in-game and in-season goals, so he's got to do his bit, and the rest will take care of itself in a very structured and calm way to ultimately maximise his talent."
Amad-Mbeumo-Man-Utd Related
[Man Utd can replace Amad & Mbeumo by signing "best winger in the country"](https://www.footballfancast.com/man-utd-can-replace-amad-mbeumo-by-signing-antoine-semenyo/ "Man Utd can replace Amad & Mbeumo by signing "best winger in the country"")
Manchester United have the opportunity to soften the blow of Amad Diallo & Bryan Mbeumo's absence.