Man Utd star says YES to Real Madrid transfer

Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith
  • 15 Dec 2025 06:03 GMT
  • 4 min read
Ruben Amorim, Man Utd
© IMAGO

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is reportedly wanted by both Barcelona and Real Madrid in January, but he is currently prioritising a move to the latter.

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The 20-year-old is yet to start a Premier League match so far this season, after falling down the pecking order at Old Trafford, and he has only racked up 273 minutes of action across all competitions this term.

Current ETV
Player image Kobbie Mainoo
Kobbie Mainoo

M, DM (C)

Man Utd logo

Man Utd

Kobbie Mainoo
Kobbie Mainoo

M, DM (C)

Man Utd

Man Utd

€62.7M

ETV Range

€56.4M - €69M

Mainoo was close to completing a season-long loan move to Napoli over the summer, however a deal was blocked by Ruben Amorim and the transfer failed to materialise.

Despite this, a January exit appears to be on the cards, with Antonio Conte’s side expected to rekindle their interest in the Englishman when the winter transfer window opens on 1 January.

Reports claim that as many as 12 clubs are monitoring Mainoo’s current situation at Old Trafford and he is therefore set to be the subject of a major transfer battle next month.

Chelsea are known admirers of the Man Utd outcast and they have been tipped to pursue a mid-season deal amid Romeo Lavia’s continued injury woes. However, they will face significant competition from both Barcelona and Real Madrid, as per Spanish publication Defensa Central.

Kobbie Mainoo, Man Utd
© IMAGO - Kobbie Mainoo, Man Utd

Kobbie Mainoo to Real Madrid?

It’s reported that Barcelona president Joan Laporta is considering a move for Mainoo, with the Blaugrana eager to bolster their midfield ranks following constant speculation that Marc Casado could depart in 2026 amid significant interest from a number of Premier League clubs.

However, Defensa Central state that Mainoo would instead prefer to join Real Madrid next year.

Los Blancos are in the market for a new central midfielder after failing to sign an adequate replacement for club legend Luka Modric this summer, and Mainoo has been earmarked as a possible alternative to fellow targets Enzo Fernandez, Kees Smit and Vitinha.

The Englishman is widely expected to leave Man Utd in January and a move to the Bernabeu appears to be a legitimate option for the talented 20-year-old.

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