La Liga heavyweights Barcelona are reportedly interested in signing 19-year-old English international Kobbie Mainoo from Manchester United.
According to reputed Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Kobbie Mainoo is the subject of interest from Barcelona. Manchester United know the Catalan giants are keen on signing the 19-year-old wonderkid. However, the Red Devils are in touch with the youngster’s representatives over a new contract.
Kobbie Mainoo and his stupendous rise
Kobbie Mainoo has seen his stock skyrocket after his breakthrough campaign on the senior level. A native of Stockport, he spent the early years of his youth career with Cheadle & Gatley and Failsworth Dynamos before joining Manchester United, where he rose through the ranks before breaking into the first-team squad.
The 19-year-old earned an admirer in Erik ten Hag, who handed him regular game time in the 2023/24 season. Mainoo overcame a long-term ankle injury to amass nearly 2,500 minutes of first-team action this term across 32 appearances, chipping in with five goals and one assist. The youngster’s exploits have also earned him his international debut.
Mainoo made his England debut in March and is a part of the Three Lions squad for UEFA Euro 2024. Meanwhile, the youngster’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs, with Barcelona joining the race to sign him. However, Manchester United will unlikely entertain any offers for the English international.
Barcelona interested
Barcelona’s interest in Kobbie Mainoo is understandable. The Catalan giants are scouring the market for a versatile midfielder who can fill Sergio Busquets’s void in the midfield department. With Oriol Romeu failing to make his mark after returning to the club, the veteran midfielder will likely depart this summer.
Mainoo has thus emerged as a viable target for Barcelona. However, a summer move will unlikely see the light of day, with Manchester United eager to tie him to a new long-term contract. Recent reports have claimed that an agreement between the two parties is close.
With Mainoo happy at Manchester United and growing in stature on the international stage, he has no reason to embark on a new adventure. So, Barcelona must look elsewhere to bolster the midfield department in the summer transfer window.
