Chelsea leapfrog Tottenham in pursuit of Premier League midfielder eager to be ‘set free’
Thomas Frank appears far from satisfied with his midfield options, judging by the evidence so far this season. The Tottenham Hotspur head coach has regularly rotated his starting XI, with the centre of the pitch seeing the most frequent changes.
As January approaches, speculation has intensified over which midfielders Spurs are monitoring, and one name repeatedly linked with the club is Kobbie Mainoo.
The Manchester United midfielder is understood to be frustrated by his limited game time this season, with reports indicating that he is keen to stay within the Premier League. Mainoo is believed to be pushing for a move to improve his chances of securing a place at the World Cup.
However, Tottenham appear to be trailing in the race for the 20-year-old. According to Caught Offside, Bayern Munich and Chelsea are currently leading the chase for his signature. Mainoo’s priority is a club where he would be guaranteed regular starts, a factor that has also strengthened Napoli’s position in the pursuit, particularly given Scott McTominay’s success there following his exit from Old Trafford.
Despite Spurs remaining part of a crowded 12-club race, they face stiff competition from Europe’s elite and may struggle to convince Mainoo of a clear pathway to consistent minutes. The situation gained further attention last week when Mainoo’s brother was spotted at Old Trafford wearing a ‘Free Kobbie Mainoo’ t-shirt after the midfielder was once again left on the bench.
Tottenham’s existing midfield structure adds another layer of complexity. The squad already includes teenage talents Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall, while Pape Matar Sarr is just 23. Xavi Simons is also still only 22, turning 23 next April.
Mainoo fits the youthful profile Spurs have targeted in recent transfer windows, but questions remain over his potential role. Frank has shown greater trust in experienced options such as Rodrigo Bentancur and João Palhinha, both of whom have featured heavily, while younger players have rotated in and out of the side.
That balance could prove decisive, as there is no clear assurance that Mainoo would become a regular starter should he make the move to North London.
