Bellingham's new Real Madrid teammate plays for Man Utd

Tom Weber

Updated: 9 Apr 2024 14:11 BST
4 min read

Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid, Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo, Man Utd — © IMAGO

Real Madrid are plotting a sensational swoop for Kobbie Mainoo, according to Spanish media.

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The Man Utd midfielder has emerged as one of the Premier League's most promising stars this season, cementing this status again at the weekend in the derby against Liverpool with a stunning goal.

At just 18 years of age, Mainoo is already a senior international with England and he is going from strength to strength at the club level even if Man Utd's results still leave a lot to be desired. Mainoo has earned praise from friend and foe alike since coming into the Red Devils team in late 2023.

England teammate Jude Bellingham said of the teenager after his debut for the Three Lions against Belgium: "He was good tonight. It’s difficult. I’m speaking like the old head here, but I know how hard it can be when there’s a clamour and people put a lot of pressure on you, so I don’t want to add fuel to the fire."

"But he’s definitely a brilliant player and he’s going to have an amazing future at Man Utd and hopefully for England as well." Perhaps Mainoo's future doesn't actually lie with Man Utd but with Bellingham at Real Madrid...

Real want Mainoo

At least that's what Don Diario is implying with a fresh report stating that Mainoo has appeared on Real Madrid's radar. It is claimed that top scout Juni Calafat views the England youngster as a kind of new Eduardo Camavinga, who has recently been linked with a spectacular move to Arsenal.

Florentino Perez is personally said to be impressed with Mainoo and believes he would be a 'very interesting' signing for Real Madrid, potentially acting as a replacement for club legend Luka Modric, who is set to depart in the summer, with Toni Kroos also likely not sticking around beyond next season.

A deal for Mainoo appears to be very unlikely, however. Man Utd would be foolish to sell one of the biggest talents in recent history and, on the contrary, they are reportedly in talks to give the youngster a bumper new contract that would run until 2030.