Real Madrid are in the market for a new creative midfielder to bolster Xabi Alonso's team but they may have missed out on a potential target. The recruitment team are tasked with finding a new playmaker to fill the void left by the likes of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.
It seems unlikely that Madrid will be making said signing in January given the club rarely do business in the winter. But transfer chiefs always have a plan and that might have meant taking a risk this month rather than waiting in the summer.
Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton and AZ Alkmaar's Kees Smit have been linked with Los Blancos. But it's one of Jude Bellingham's England teammates who may no longer be available due to a major twist.
Real Madrid look likely to miss out on Kobbie Mainoo
Reports back in August claimed that Madrid were monitoring Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo. The 20-year-old was on the club's radar amid a lack of game time at Old Trafford.
Mainoo's minutes didn't approve under Ruben Amorim this season and in fact he looked to have lost the head coach's faith. He made a request to go out on loan but this was turned down and the Red Devils' stance was that they view him as their future.
Amorim didn't seem to believe he was good enough to be starting for his United side despite their poor form. The Portuguese coach was sacked on Monday and this has repercussions on the English starlet's future.
According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Mainoo's wish to leave is expected to soften following Amorim's departure. He is at his boyhood club and will likely believe he can reclaim his place in the United team under the next manager.
Madrid weren't the only ones interested in Mainoo, as he was linked with a potential loan to Napoli. He is considered one of the most exciting talents in England, and Amorim's handling of him left many dumbfounded.
Jude Bellingham is a Mainoo fan
If there is still an opportunity to bring Mainoo to Madrid he'd be linking up with Jude Bellingham whom he plays with at international level. The pair formed a fine midfield trio along with Declan Rice once Gareth Southgate turned to the United academy graduate at Euro 2024.
Bellingham played in Mainoo's England debut and hailed him at the time. He gave a glowing verdict and expected him to become a superstar (via 90min):
"It's difficult, and I am 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 Manchester United and hopefully for England as well."
Mainoo will be eyeing a chance to get back into the England squad before this summer's FIFA World Cup. Bellingham is guaranteed to be on the plane although he is battling it out with Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers for a starting berth in Thomas Tuchel's side.