Tottenham ‘well placed’ to agree Kobbie Mainoo deal amid Newcastle reveal
Tottenham could be one of the clubs to make a move for Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo this month.
Mainoo has fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford this season, with multiple midfielders playing ahead of him.
Mainoo has received interest from several Premier League clubs, but Man United are expected to demand a significant fee for their academy product.
Meanwhile, Ruben Amorim’s sacking could have an impact on the 20-year-old’s immediate future.
How much could Man United accept for Kobbie Mainoo?
Former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider Tottenham are one of the clubs who could afford to sign Mainoo in the January window.
Thomas Frank is looking to strengthen his side following their disappointing recent run of form.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson said: “I think there’s a good chance that somebody would pay £40m for him. I think the big issue there anyway is, of the clubs that could pay £40m, would he want to go?
“I think you can rule out any of the other big six, aside from potentially Spurs. I don’t think Spurs particularly need him, but they’re one that could afford it. Would he want to go to Spurs? I don’t know, maybe. I guess they’re the one on the edge.
“Villa are not in a position to do a deal. Newcastle might be, but it doesn’t look an obvious fit for them footballing-wise. Then you’ve got the teams like West Ham and Everton maybe, but it’s a lot of money for Everton right now, so I think it’s unlikely.”
Why Mainoo could be forced to stay at Man United
Borson insisted a move abroad could be the most realistic option for Mainoo if a switch to another Premier League side doesn’t present itself.
“You sort of get into the practicality of where can he go, and it points to a loan abroad initially,” said Borson.
“But again, there are very few clubs that could actually afford the fee that United would want for him.
“You’re talking Atletico Madrid or maybe Napoli at a stretch, but they’ve already got quite a lot of commitment on some of the other players that they’ve brought in like Hojlund. I would assume they are going to complete that deal, so it’s not straightforward.
“I would expect Mainoo to be another one probably to stay, not to leave in January, and for it all to be looked at again in the summer window.”
Mainoo, who has been sidelined with a calf injury in recent weeks, has started just once in his 12 appearances for Man United this season.
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