Bayern Munich join Chelsea in targeting £80m Man United star, with move possible

Both Bayern Munich and Chelsea are reportedly looking to sign Kobbie Mainoo this summer, with Manchester United believed to have set their price for the young star.

Mainoo, 19, has remained one of the few highlights of the last two seasons for United, with his emergence a sign of what the Red Devils’ academy system can still produce.

Picking up his first Premier League start back in November of 2023, the young Englishman has gone on to become a vital part of the set-up for both club and country.

Despite this, uncertainty about Mainoo’s position at the club, both on the pitch and off it has remained, with rumours persisting that United would listen to offers for the midfielder.

Why would United sell Mainoo?

As reported by Fichajes, United are planning a complete restructuring of their squad in the summer. With, finances tight around Old Trafford, player sales will prove vital ahead of any incomings.

With an absence of sellable assets at the club, Mainoo who will be just twenty years old by the time the summer window comes around, represents one of the few United players who could command a substantial fee.

Mainoo, who has had interest of late from several sides including Premier League rivals Chelsea, is reported to be up for sale if a fee of £80 million is offered.

Chelsea, who have previously enquired about fellow United star Alejandro Garnacho, have an obligation to sign United winger Jadon Sancho for £25million at the end of this season.

Also maintaining an interest in Mainoo is Bayern Munich, with the Bundesliga side believed to be keeping tabs on the teenage superstar.

United have previously been linked with several members of the Bayern midfield, with Sky Deutschland reporting back in December that the Red Devils had been keeping tabs on Konrad Laimer. Whilst Leon Goretzka has often been reported as a target of multiple Premier League sides including United.

Manchester United’s Mainoo issue

With his obvious talents on the ball at such a young age, Mainoo represents a player any top team would be lucky to have. But, over recent weeks where exactly Mainoo fits in United manager Ruben Amorim’s system has become unclear.

Played almost exclusively as part of the midfield two by Amorim’s successor Erik ten Hag, Amorim has experimented with Mainoo’s position of late.

In each of his last three appearances, Amorim has made the decision to use Mainoo further up the field – as part of his attacking front three. Most notably, Amorim utilised Mainoo ahead of his strikers Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee in the Red Devils’ 2-0 loss to Crystal Palace.

If a position in the team is not clear by the time the summer window approaches, a move away from United for Mainoo could seen as a necessary evil for Ineos.

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