Chelsea make Mainoo PROGRESS: Major star to be sacrificed

Robin Bairner

10 Mar 2025 18:30 GMT
4 min read

Kobbie Mainoo, Enzo Maresca, Chelsea — © IMAGO

Chelsea are poised to sell one of their most highly rated young players in order to sign Kobbie Mainoo from Manchester United.

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Undeterred by reports that Mainoo is targeting a move abroad, the Blues are ready to fund a move for the Man Utd teenager by offloading Romeo Lavia.

Current ETV

Kobbie Mainoo

M, DM (C)

Man Utd

Kobbie Mainoo

M, DM (C)

Man Utd

ETV Range

€41.1M - €68.5M

Chelsea have been exploring a move for the 19-year-old England international since the Red Devils’ precarious financial position became evident during the January transfer window.

Now a deal for Mainoo looks closer than ever. The homegrown wonderkid has rejected a contract offer from Man Utd, according to The Guardian, which goes on to state that the player is exploring the possibility of leaving the club. The indications are that he would favour a challenge away from the Premier League.

Nevertheless, Chelsea are still plotting to sign the midfielder, who has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €54.8 million and a contract that runs until 2027.

Enzo Maresca’s side are planning a midfield overhaul, and according to CaughtOffside, Lavia is a player they are willing to let go in order to add Mainoo to their ranks. This would effectively be a like-for-like change.

Romeo Lavia sale could be problematic

Lavia’s chief problem since hooking up with Chelsea has been his fitness. The Blues signed him from Southampton for €62m yet he has barely played 600 minutes of football for the club over the course of 18 months.

Naturally, this will lead to concerns over whether they are capable of raising a significant fee for a player who is still considered to have outstanding ability and potential. This is reflected in his ETV of €54.1m.

Compared

Roméo Lavia

DM, M (C)

Chelsea

Roméo Lavia

DM, M (C)

Chelsea

VS

Kobbie Mainoo

M, DM (C)

Man Utd

Kobbie Mainoo

M, DM (C)

Man Utd

2024/2025

Season Statistics

2024/2025

12	Appearances	26
589	Minutes Played	1723
0	Goals	1
1	Assists	1
8	Key Passes	18
11	Interceptions	18
321	Passes	860
18	Tackles	43

Reports in Spain, meanwhile, have indicated that Real Madrid could make a summer move for Enzo Fernandez, who Chelsea have put an €80m price tag on.

This could provide an alternative route to securing Mainoo, although it would be a riskier one given the importance that Enzo has enjoyed to the first team in recent weeks.