Chelsea eyeing late raid on Manchester United for midfield wonderkid Kobbie Mainoo | OneFootball

Manchester United’s co-owners INEOS are grappling with PSR concerns which is why they are open to the prospect of moving on academy graduates as their sales would constitute pure profit.

With Marcus Rashford publicly revealing his desire to try a new adventure, it seemed like he would be the one to make way this January.

However, given his enormous wages and United’s asking price, it became apparent very quickly than a permanent exit was not possible in the winter which is why INEOS took the bold step to put both Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo up for sale.

Chelsea expressed an interest in acquiring the United midfielder but soon moved on the Argentine. However, a concrete offer for Garnacho is yet to materialise with Napoli now leading the charge for the Argentina international.

Chelsea still eyeing Mainoo

As revealed by Teamtalk, the Blues have still not given up on Mainoo with Enzo Maresca reportedly eyeing a versatile midfielder capable of playing both as a defensive midfielder and further forward.

The England international fits the bill with the Stamford Bridge side recently seeing Romeo Lavia sidelined with another injury.

It would take an offer of £70 million for INEOS to consider a sale and Chelsea are likely to sign either of Mainoo or Garnacho and not both.

“Chelsea are interested in signing a new midfielder before the transfer window closes and Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo remains on their radar.

“Sources have reiterated to TEAMtalk today (Wednesday) that Enzo Maresca’s side are still in the market for a new midfielder who can play centrally and pivot as a number six.

United have set £70m price tag on Mainoo

“Sources maintain that a bid of £70m would force Ruben Amorim’s side to consider selling Mainoo in the coming days and Chelsea are keeping close tabs on the 19-year-old’s situation.”

Selling Mainoo would leave Amorim short in the middle of the park given Casemiro is not in his plans and Toby Collyer lacks experience.

Plenty of former stars have called out INEOS for placing the Stockport-born star on the market and fans would be devastated should the Englishman leave to join a direct domestic rival.

United are planning for either of Rashford or Garnacho’s departure as seen from their interest in Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel and they do not have a midfield target should Mainoo leave.

Feature image Glyn Kirk via Getty Images

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