Football
Exclusive: Kobbie Mainoo Could Join Tottenham on Loan in January Transfer Window
Tottenham Hotspur wants to sign unsettled Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo on loan in January. Mainoo, a homegrown talent, is frustrated with lack of game-time at United and sees a move to a Premier League rival as a potential career boost. A loan deal could be the best move for his career as he aims for regular first-team football.
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester United - Premier League by Catherine Ivill - AMA | Getty Images
Tottenham Hotspur want to sign unsettled Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo on loan when the January transfer window opens, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
Spurs are prepared to pay the former England international’s wages with a view to a permanent deal being struck next summer.
Homegrown talent Mainoo was linked with a move to Italian champions Napoli earlier this year, but as previously revealed by SportsBoom, the 20-year-old had no intention of leaving Old Trafford, instead preferring to fight for his place.
But the 10-cap England international remains in the wilderness at United under Portuguese boss Ruben Amorim, his performances limited to sporadic appearances from the substitute’s bench.
Mainoo is out of contract in June 2027, but the club and player have an option to exercise a one-year extension if they so with too.
However, our sources have learnt Mainoo has grown increasingly frustrated about his lack of game-time and would welcome the chance to play regular football, even if it was at a rival Premier League.
Mainoo was reportedly close to agreeing a loan move to Napoli last month, which would have taken effect in January, but the talks ultimately broke down.
BEST MOVE
Any loan deal to a Premier League rival would undoubtedly preclude Mainoo from playing against his parent club, but just like Jadon Sancho before him, a move away could prove be the best move for his career, especially as Amorim seeing him as a bit-part player as present.
Mainoo is now in his fourth season at United having risen through the academy ranks before his breakthrough into the first team.
But with competition fierce in midfield at Old Trafford the Stockport-born youngster knows a mov away could prove to be a real turning point in his career.
Former United midfielder and friend Scott McTominay proved a move away from Old Trafford can work, winning the Serie A Player of the Season award for spearheading Napoli’s fine run to the league title last term.
Ultimately, like any top player, Mainoo just wants to play and the longer he doesn’t for the Red Devils, then a move away looks increasingly more likely.
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.