Leeds United have begun eyeing up a loan move for a Manchester United star in preparation for the January transfer window.
As the January transfer window swiftly approaches, clubs are beginning to prepare their transfer strategy to boost their squads. Leeds United, who are 16th, are one of the clubs that are looking to improve their season with new additions.
They currently sit one point above the relegation zone and speculation over whether manager Daniel Farke could be sacked has added additional pressure to the club. Farke will be looking throughout the Premier League to regain his job security.
Leeds have had struggles offensively this season, failing to score in five of their eleven games so far. This makes a huge difference from last season, when Leeds won the Championship on goal difference, scoring 95 goals.
Rúben Amorim will also be looking to bring additions into his United squad. Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Brighton’s Carlos Baleba have been frequently reported as key targets for the club in January.
Leeds eye Mainoo move
Mainoo has been underutilised by Amorim and is yet to start a Premier League game for United this season, playing just 138 minutes off the bench. He has already been benched more times this season than last, despite United only having played eleven games.
The twenty-year-old featured throughout England’s Euro 2024 run, introducing himself on the world stage as a wonderkid, but has since failed to consistently feature in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad due to United’s poor form and a complete lack of minutes.
Mainoo has reportedly been looking at a loan move away from United to allow himself to start games at a high level again and return to the England squad for the 2026 World Cup. Amorim seemingly blocked the possibility of a move at the end of the summer transfer window, but as the January window approaches, a move looks likely.
TEAMtalk transfer insider, Dean Jones, explained the likelihood of a move to Elland Road for Mainoo, saying: “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 went on to say: “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.” Despite the doubt of a Leeds move for Mainoo, a loan move elsewhere is still on the cards.
Napoli interest more beneficial for Mainoo
Napoli are among the clubs fighting for Mainoo’s signature in January. United have already sent Scott McTominay there in 2024, and Rasmus Hojlund has been on loan to the Italians since the start of the season.
A move to the Serie-A champions would put Mainoo back in the spotlight, allowing for Champions League game time, likely to catch the eye of Tuchel. With injuries to Billy Gilmour and Kevin De Bruyne, Napoli will be able to integrate Mainoo into the starting lineup with ease.
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United are likely to only let Mainoo leave if they are able to find a replacement in January, and with Anderson and Baleba looking costly for a January transfer, a Mainoo move away is seen as risky for United.
Amorim has previously claimed he wants the midfielder to fight for his place in the squad, but with a lack of chances and the speculation around a transfer, the future plans for Mainoo have begun to frustrate fans who want to see him back in the lineup.
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