Man Utd transfer news: Unwanted Red Devils star 'linked' with Premier League transfer

Kobbie Mainoo has been linked with another club as rumours of a move away from Manchester United continue to persist.

Mainoo has not started a Premier League game for Ruben Amorim this season, with the Portuguese manager favouring Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro in deeper midfield roles.

The 20-year-old has been linked with several moves away from the club, with connections to Chelsea surfacing in recent days following a series of rumours.

Another Premier League club has entered the race for the midfielder, who seeks to leave for a better chance of making Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for next year’s World Cup.

Kobbie Mainoo transfer news: Could Man Utd star join struggling Premier League club?

According to TEAMtalk, Leeds United have been sensationally linked with a move for Mainoo in January, as they seek to rise up the Premier League table.

Leeds sit 16th after 11 league games, winning three matches since returning to the big time, leaving the Whites one point outside the relegation zone.

The Red Devils are said to be not too keen on letting Mainoo leave for the struggling club, with Dean Jones of TEAMtalk pointing to the rivalry between the Manchester outfit and the struggling team.

“I don’t see there being much of a chance that Mainoo makes a move to Leeds. I do think that he is stuck at the moment though,” Jones told TEAMtalk. “Realistically, he is miles away from making the England squad for next summer and I don’t think anything can be done to transform that radically enough in time for the summer.

“I see a lot of reporting around Mainoo wanting a transfer because he’s worried about the World Cup. I think that there are other things that are more relevant and immediate.

“Yes, I can understand his frustration and that he has to be playing football to have any chance of getting into a better condition and in better form. But it is his job to win his place in the team and equally Man Utd’s main objective is to protect the club and to make sure that they have a squad that is prepared for next year.

“That’s why their message has been that he will not be available in January. I don’t think it is impossible that that situation changes but it would probably need the club to sign somebody else for him to then leave. Otherwise, they risk leaving themselves short and I don’t think they will do that.

“I don’t really see why they would let him join a team like Leeds in January, though, because they don’t benefit much from that, the player would likely be looking for something bigger than that, and there is a rivalry and history between the clubs that still stands to this day.”

Could Man Utd’s stance on Mainoo change?

The source above suggests that United's only condition for allowing Mainoo to go on loan in January is that a suitable replacement be secured first.

Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson is a top candidate on their mid-season shortlist, but signing him away from the City Ground would be costly and complex.

If United reconsider, Napoli are likely the leading contender to take Mainoo on loan, as Antonio Conte seeks to strengthen his squad to retain their Serie A title.

The young midfielder is said to be more receptive to the idea of moving abroad to Naples for regular European playing opportunities.

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