Manchester City is on its way to signing Kobbie Mainoo from Manchester United, with the 18-year-old that can change sides.
The midfielder could change jerseys for the amount of £35 million with City which is interested in signing him in January. Mainoo tried both their academies when he was just nine and this would be a second return with the Blue Side of Manchester.
But everything seems to be difficult with United which informed the player in the summer window that he would stay with the team and not be loaned.
He has signed a long-term contract until 2027 and will be difficult for City to secure his services in the next transfer window. Mainoo made his first team debut against Charlton in the Carabao Cup and since then he has been one of the first alternatives for McTomminay and Casemiro in the midfield.
Kobbie is a talented player and has played only in the Youth League with Manchester United.
He was on the bench in the match against Fulham after he returned from the ankle injury. Mainoo is expected to win minutes in the next Premier League games.
Ten Hag consideration…
The coach ten Hag considers the player one of the most important parts of Manchester United.
However, if strong signals come from the board he can study the option to sell the midfielder. Mainoo can adapt to different positions and this can help United bring more options upfront in the midfield.
Saying so, the midfielder is a precious jam for any team and would bring intensity and new positioning options.
That is the reason City is insisting on him and wants to secure his services. Maybe the summer window is the perfect time to negotiate an agreement with Manchester United after the player has experienced the first minutes in the Premier League.
Certainly in the next games, United will give him more minutes and that will be his moment to show his values.
Coach ten Hag has a young squad and Kobbie should fight to find his place in the starting eleven. With United’s intentions to keep the player, for City is difficult to make this operation happen, for now…
