‘I just got off the phone…’ – Journalist says Tottenham eyeing move to sign ‘big name’ star in January
Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly preparing a January approach for Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, as per a report from The Daily Briefing.
The North London side are believed to be monitoring Mainoo’s situation closely after the 21-year-old endured a difficult few months at Old Trafford. Despite expressing a desire to leave during the summer window, his proposed loan exit was blocked by United’s hierarchy, leaving him frustrated over a lack of first-team action.
Mainoo, who was once regarded as one of England’s brightest young prospects, has managed fewer than 150 minutes of Premier League football this season. His only start came in the Carabao Cup second-round defeat to Grimsby Town — a result that further intensified scrutiny on Manchester United’s midfield depth. Since then, Mainoo has found himself firmly on the fringes of Ruben Amorim’s plans.
The young midfielder’s situation has become even more complicated under Amorim, who has made it clear that he views Mainoo as direct competition for captain Bruno Fernandes in the attacking midfield role. That stance has left Mainoo trapped behind Fernandes in the pecking order, while the likes of Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte continue to occupy the deeper midfield slots — despite both enduring inconsistent spells of form.
Adding to his frustration, Mainoo has not featured for the England national team since September of last year and has been overlooked by new head coach Thomas Tuchel in each of the past several international call-ups. With the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on the horizon, the youngster’s stagnation at club level has become a growing concern.
However, according to journalist Marc Brus of The Daily Briefing, a glimmer of hope could emerge in January. Brus revealed that Spurs are one of several clubs interested in rescuing Mainoo from his current predicament, with growing optimism that a deal might be possible despite Manchester United’s preference to keep hold of the player.
> “I’m told the January transfer window could be a very interesting one for Manchester United,” Brus explained. “They may have to enter the market for a new midfielder, particularly if a key player pushes for a move. That player, according to my source, is Kobbie Mainoo — he wanted to leave in the summer, United blocked it, and now he’s still not playing. This will definitely be one to watch.”
In addition to Tottenham, Brus confirmed that Napoli have shown significant interest and have already opened dialogue with the player’s representatives. Premier League rivals Chelsea, Newcastle United, and Leeds United have also kept tabs on the England international in recent months, highlighting his continued reputation as one of the country’s most talented young midfielders.
Should Manchester United move for another midfielder in January — with names such as Carlos Baleba of Brighton and Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace reportedly on their radar — that could pave the way for Mainoo’s departure.
For Tottenham, the timing of Mainoo’s potential availability could not be better. Head coach Thomas Frank is keen to strengthen his midfield after relying heavily on Pape Matar Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Lucas Bergvall in recent weeks. Injuries to key creative players like James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski have further exposed the team’s lack of depth, particularly in the middle of the park.
While on-loan midfielder Joao Palhinha has been solid defensively, his limitations in ball progression have occasionally stifled Spurs’ attacking rhythm. Mainoo, by contrast, offers a dynamic blend of technical ability, forward-thinking passing, and positional versatility — attributes that align perfectly with Frank’s possession-based style.
If Tottenham can convince Manchester United to sanction a deal, Mainoo could become one of the standout signings of the winter window. For the player himself, a move to North London would provide a much-needed opportunity to reignite his career, reclaim a spot in the England setup, and prove that his potential remains undiminished despite a challenging spell at Old Trafford.
In short, Tottenham’s pursuit of Kobbie Mainoo represents not only a potential coup for the club but also a lifeline for one of England’s most promising young midfielders, whose talent deserves a stage far larger than the Manchester United bench.