Barcelona will reportedly look to sign 20-year-old English international Kobbie Mainoo from Manchester United as cover for Gavi.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Kobbie Mainoo is the subject of interest from Barcelona. The reigning La Liga champions are keen on reinforcing their first-team squad by signing a versatile midfielder in the winter transfer window. So, the 20-year-old Manchester United whizkid has emerged as a target for the Blaugrana.
The Catalan giants are keen on signing the Englishman on a loan deal with a purchase option, similar to the arrangement that helped them land Marcus Rashford. So, talks between Barcelona and Manchester United may advance in the coming weeks.
Kobbie Mainoo and his frustrating situation
Kobbie Mainoo has established himself as one of the best young midfielders in the world since breaking into the first-team squad at Manchester United. The 20-year-old enjoyed his breakthrough under Erik ten Hag, and his rapid progress earned him a spot in England’s squad for the UEFA European Championships last year.
However, the youngster has been in and out of the starting lineup since Ruben Amorim took over from Erik ten Hag nearly 12 months ago. The English international has managed only 76 minutes of game time thus far in the 2025/26 season. The situation has left Mainoo frustrated, and it has piqued the attention of several high-profile clubs. Barcelona will be among the prospective suitors vying for his signature in the winter transfer window.
Can Barcelona sign Mainoo?
Barcelona’s interest in Kobbie Mainoo is understandable. The Catalan giants are scouring the market for a versatile midfielder after losing Gavi to a long-term knee injury. The Spanish international has undergone a medical procedure to address the issue, but he will be unavailable for a long time.
So, the reigning La Liga champions have set their sights on Mainoo, and they will approach Manchester United to discuss a loan deal with a purchase option. That is a similar arrangement to the one that helped them land Marcus Rashford, who may complete a permanent move to Barcelona next summer.
However, it is unclear if Manchester United will be receptive to agreeing to a loan departure for Mainoo. However, recent reports have claimed that the Red Devils remain uninterested in parting ways with the 20-year-old English international. It will be interesting to see if Barcelona can tempt Manchester United with a loan bid.
