Barcelona view Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo as a leading transfer target this summer, according to a report.
Barcelona are reportedly accelerating their interest in Kobbie Mainoo, with the La Liga outfit determined to sign the Manchester United youngster during this summer’s transfer window.
The 19-year-old, who is currently with the England squad at Euro 2024, represented the Red Devils on 32 occasions during the 2023-24 campaign, scoring five goals and registering one assist in the process.
Mainoo managed three goals and one assist in 24 Premier League appearances, while he scored twice in six FA Cup appearances, including in the final against Manchester City, as Erik ten Hag‘s side won the trophy.
The teenager has a contract at Old Trafford until June 2027, but Man United are said to be determined to sign him to a new contract, which would include a significant pay rise.
Mainoo is not believed to have any plans to leave the Red Devils, but there has recently been speculation surrounding potential interest from Barcelona during the summer market.
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Barcelona ‘want to bring Mainoo to Camp Nou’
A recent report claimed that Barcelona were willing to offer Man United €10m (£8.5m) plus Brazilian attacker Raphinha in exchange for Mainoo this summer.
According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, there is significant interest from Barcelona, with Man United being made aware that the Catalan outfit want to sign their wonderkid this summer.
Tavolieri claims that the Red Devils are currently in talks with Mainoo’s representatives over a new contract, with the club determined to secure his future.
The Englishman, who came through the Man United youth system, debuted for the first team in 2023, ending the 2022-23 campaign with three appearances before fully making the breakthrough last term.
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How will the situation play out?
If Man United have any ambitions of returning to former glories, then they simply have to keep hold of Mainoo, more than any other player in the squad.
The teenager was the team’s shining light during a difficult 2023-24 campaign, and it was not a surprise when he was named in the England squad for the European Championship.
Man United will have to move players on this summer for financial reasons, but any talk of an exit for Mainoo has to be shut down immediately by the club.
It is also difficult to imagine Barcelona coming up with the type of money that would be required to sign one of the best young talents in world football.
As a result, a new contract for Mainoo is expected to be the outcome to the situation, with Man United likely to make an announcement later this year, as talks over a new deal will not be accelerated until after Euro 2024.