Manchester United could hand Tottenham their Gibbs-White alternative this summer

The 19-year-old is seen as one of the brightest talents to emerge from Carrington in recent years, but his situation at Old Trafford is far from settled. Despite a promising debut against Everton and flashes of brilliance last season, Mainoo has yet to cement a consistent starting role under Ruben Amorim.

Tottenham, always on the lookout for top-tier young players with long-term potential, have been monitoring Mainoo’s contract situation closely. With no resolution in sight, the club has taken proactive steps to understand United’s stance and gauge what kind of fee might be required.

Mainoo is currently on modest terms for a Premier League player of his calibre, and that has only added to Spurs’ intrigue. The club believes there may be a unique market opportunity, particularly as United have not made him untouchable in the current window.

A perfect stylistic fit for Spurs

What makes Mainoo even more appealing to Tottenham is his versatility. Comfortable operating both as a deep-lying playmaker or in a more advanced role, the England youth international offers tactical flexibility that would be valuable under Thomas Frank.

Spurs have been building a young, dynamic midfield group with an eye on the future, and Mainoo fits that profile perfectly. With the likes of James Maddison and Rodrigo Bentancur needing intelligent, mobile midfield partners, Mainoo could develop into a core piece of the puzzle if a deal can be done.

Spurs sense opportunity with United in transition

Manchester United are in a period of reshuffle, and while Mainoo has impressed in pre-season, it’s still unclear where he fits in Amorim’s plans. That ambiguity could open the door for Tottenham, especially if they present the right offer at the right moment.

Spurs haven’t received any signals that United are actively shopping the player, but there’s a quiet optimism that a serious bid, paired with the promise of a more prominent role, could tempt all parties.

With the European Championship around the corner and Mainoo eager to put himself in contention, this could be a career-defining summer for the young midfielder. And for Tottenham, it may be the perfect time to strike.