Man Utd starlet Kobbie Mainoo chased by 10 clubs – including Chelsea and Man City

Robin Bairner

• 6 Nov 2025 11:36 GMT
• 4 min read

Analysis

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is wanted by 10 clubs ahead of the January transfer window – among them Chelsea and Manchester City.

While Napoli have been credited with an interest in the 20-year-old midfielder, the Stockport-born youngster has attracted attention from all of Europe’s major clubs, with The Daily Briefing revealing that there are no fewer than 10 teams showing serious interest in the player.

Premier League sides Chelsea, Tottenham, Man City, Newcastle, Leeds and Everton all want to sign the England international, but there is also interest from Spain via Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.

Current ETV

Kobbie Mainoo

M, DM (C)

Man Utd

Kobbie Mainoo

M, DM (C)

Man Utd

€62.7M

ETV Range

€56.4M - €69M

View full profile

Throw in Napoli’s long-standing desire to snap up Mainoo, and he is being followed by 10 sides with just weeks before the transfer window re-opens.

Chelsea’s interest in the player is highlighted by the fact that the Blues have signed Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho from Man Utd in recent years. The Stamford Bridge side are said to be “long-term admirers” of the wonderkid.

Meanwhile, it is added from some sources that interest from Newcastle and Man City has been cooling in recent weeks.

Will Kobbie Mainoo leave Man Utd in January?

Man Utd seem increasingly open to loaning Mainoo, who has been frustrated with his lack of playing time, out in January. There has been no indication that either the player or the club is willing to sell him, which is doubtless what at least some of his suitors will be asking.

Fabrizio Romano commented on YouTube: “Kobbie Mainoo wanted to go on loan late in the summer transfer window, but Manchester United and Ruben Amorim decided against it at the time. Mainoo is still not playing regularly, so he remains open to a six-month loan move in January, returning to United in the summer.

“The final decision will depend on Manchester United’s plans – whether they bring in another midfielder, and on Amorim’s preference to maintain his current squad. There is interest from West Ham, offering guaranteed minutes, and from Napoli, who are looking for midfield cover after Kevin De Bruyne’s injury.”

What move is best for Mainoo?

Napoli is the best option for Mainoo come the January transfer window, according to data analytics experts SciSports.

Using the firm’s Career Advice tool, which gives every club a rating based on a variety of factors from development and playing time to style and formation, Antonio Conte’s Serie A champions get a mark of 78 – more than any other team.

They come in just ahead of Atletico Madrid on 77, with Manchester City third on 73.

None of the other clubs credited with an interest in Mainoo scores above a 65, indicating that his options may be numerous, but his good options are limited.

Interestingly, Man Utd are seen as by far the most comfortable fit for Mainoo. The Red Devils score five stars almost across the board to record a score of 85, but the catch is that Amorim’s playing style gets just one star, which is clearly the reason the young England international is struggling to make his mark.