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Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has poured cold water on any suggestions that Manchester United wonderkid Kobbie Mainoo could be on his way to Real Madrid in the near future.
Mainoo has been one of the few positives for United during an otherwise underwhelming and dreary campaign that frankly can’t end soon enough.
Ever since he came into the team in November last year against Everton, Mainoo has barely put a foot wrong and has consistently impressed with his calm and composed displays that have often made him stand out head and shoulders above most of his senior and more experienced teammates.
He is now undoubtedly one of the first names on the team sheet when Erik ten Hag is making his starting XI selections.
Mainoo also made his senior England debut and unsurprisingly, he took to international football with the Three Lions like a duck to water. He’s set to cap off a stellar breakthrough season at Old Trafford with a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad.
Amidst all this, a shock report emerged that claimed Real Madrid are admirers of the Carrington academy graduate and retain an interest in luring him away to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Over the weekend, it was subsequently relayed that Los Blancos are poised to step up their efforts to land the 18-year-old, who they view as a perfect replacement for the ageing duo of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.
However, according to Fabrizio Romano who spoke to media network Men in Blazers, Mainoo is very happy at United and does not wish to leave the club as he considers his future to be at Old Trafford.
The Italian journalist also confirmed that talks for a new contract between the midfielder and United are carrying on positively.
Romano said, “It’s crucial for INEOS to have Kobbie Mainoo as one of the faces of the new project. He is younger, he is a Manchester United product.
“He is really happy at Manchester United because he has the chance to play every single game. We see so many negatives with Erik ten Hag but he clearly trusted Kobbie Mainoo in a difficult situation.”
Romano added, “What we can say is that conversations [over a new deal] have been going on since February. I can confirm that United want to extend his contract. It’s not an urgent situation as the contract is still long and United are not in a rush, but they want to make it happen.”
“They want to offer him a new deal and have already held preliminary discussions with his agents. The conversation is quite positive. Mainoo wants to stay and United want to give him an important salary to make sure the player is super happy at the club.”
Needless to say, this will come as fantastic news to United supporters, who consider Mainoo to be one of the players for the present and the future.
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