Kobbie Mainoo to Chelsea: 'It's a surprise deal' amid Lavia claim

Chelsea being interested in signing Man United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is being seen as a “surprise” due to the options available to Enzo Maresca.

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson admitted that “Mainoo doesn’t get in” the Chelsea squad when everyone is fit.

The Blues are without Romeo Lavia currently due to injury, but Robinson sees him as one of the most impressive players in the Premier League this season.

It was reported by the Daily Mail that Mainoo is “concerned” about the future of United under Ruben Amorim, which has led to his contract negotiations hitting a stalemate.

That helped spark the speculation over the England international being bought by Chelsea, as Maresca continues to try and build his own squad.

Chelsea’s interest in Kobbie Mainoo is being seen as a ‘surprise’

“Surprise with Chelsea, absolutely,” Robinson told Football Insider.

“But then you look at [Moises] Caicedo, [Enzo] Fernandez in their centre midfield.

“They've got injuries in that area now, like I say, but when everybody's fit with Kobbie Mainoo in there, would he get in the team? No, he wouldn't.

“[Romeo] Lavia's been one of the best players in the Premier League for me this year, he's a top, top player.

“When they've got Lavia, Caicedo, and Fernandez fit, Mainoo doesn't get in.

“Everyone at Manchester United will be for sale the way things are at the moment.

“Marcus Rashford looks like he's going to be the first one out the door, doesn't he?

“So, to get those wages off the books and that space in the squad gives the manager a better option than letting somebody like Kobbie Mainoo go.

“It's a surprise deal at both ends for me.”

In other news, Nicolas Jackson issues three-word statement to Chelsea fans.

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