Chelsea are ready to launch move for Kobbie Mainoo as soon as one thing happens

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The most surprising rumour of the January transfer window so far has come in the form of Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo being linked with a potential move to Chelsea.

Man United and England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who’s still only aged 19, is reportedly on the Chelsea radar.

It’s been widely claimed that Chelsea are leading the chase for Mainoo if he leaves Old Trafford, which has surprised plenty because he’s a Man United academy graduate.

The Blues squad at Stamford Bridge is already blessed with several talented central midfielders, but could they be about to add another one into the mix?

• READ MORE: Kobbie Mainoo vs Romeo Lavia – How the stats compare as Manchester United midfielder linked with Chelsea move

When Chelsea could move to sign Kobbie Mainoo

According to The Times, Chelsea could make a swoop to try and sign Mainoo from Man United as early as this month.

It is explained that Enzo Maresca’s side may launch a January transfer move if they they receive encouragement from the player, so it feels like a waiting game to see if that moment comes.

Chelsea supporters aren’t behind the idea of signing Mainoo because they’re convinced that the club needs to focus on signing a striker or a defender rather than another midfielder. In fairness, they’re pretty stacked in the centre of the park, especially when you consider someone like Andrey Santos is still out on loan.

While the chaos of the mid-season window continues off the pitch, the Blues now turn their attention to Saturday’s FA Cup tie in the third round at home to League Two club Morecambe.

What does Kobbie Mainoo want to do?

Mainoo, who climbed from the academy to the first team at Man United, is one of the poster boys of the new-look team in Manchester. Therefore, it’ll be a shock if all parties don’t find an agreement over a new contract to cement his future.

It’s no surprise that Mainoo’s preference is to stay at Man United, but it’s worth adding that the club are under some financial restrictions.

We’ve seen across the Premier League, including at Chelsea, the value when it comes to cashing in on homegrown talents. The difference is that Mainoo is currently such a key figure in the Man United XI.