Newcastle United are seen as the front-runners in the race to sign Kobbie Mainoo, while Real Madrid and Barcelona are also keen.

According to Ekrem Konur, Newcastle United are currently seen as one of the front-runners to sign Kobbie Mainoo. The Manchester United midfielder is finding game time hard to come by at Old Trafford. The club could sanction a loan move for the 20-year-old, and there’s further interest from the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Kobbie Mainoo seems destined to leave Old Trafford next month as he seeks a new challenge with regular game time. The 20-year-old Manchester United whizkid is aware of the chances of not making it to Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad next summer without regular action on the field.

Manchester United were reluctant to sanction a loan exit last summer when Mainoo requested the club for a temporary exit. However, they may have changed their minds in an attempt to retain big value on the 20-year-old, which is currently deteriorating owing to his lack of game time.

Kobbie Mainoo will have no shortage of suitors, as the club are already looking at replacement options in January, amid links to Conor Gallagher, among others. On Mainoo, it will be a bit of a challenge for some of the suitors to sign the 20-year-old Manchester United whizkid on loan, especially as he might seek guarantees of regular game time in the next part of the season.

Newcastle United are currently seen as the front-runners to sign Mainoo, as Eddie Howe wants a new midfielder in his setup. Incidentally, the Magpies are also linked with Gallagher as an option, but they might pounce on the chance to sign Mainoo if he indeed was made available.

Real Madrid and Barcelona in Kobbie Mainoo chase?

Real Madrid and Barcelona are also linked with a move for Mainoo as per Fichajes, as the race for the 20-year-old Manchester United whizkid could heat up if the Spanish giants enter the race. The Blaugrana, in particular, could make do with an additional midfielder, especially on loan, where Mainoo could join his former Old Trafford teammate Marcus Rashford.

Real Madrid may not look to make a loan signing, although they are in the market for a midfielder, which could draw them towards the 20-year-old Manchester United whizkid. It remains to be seen whether Newcastle United advances in negotiations for Kobbie Mainoo, as his exit from Old Trafford looks certain at this moment.