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Tottenham Hotspur ahead of Real Madrid in the race to land 20-year-old English international

Originally posted on To The Lane And Back
By Pranav Ravindrannair | Last updated Sep 21, 2025 5:38 PM ET

Tottenham Hotspur remain keen on Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo despite competition from Real Madrid

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly at the front of the queue to sign Manchester United starlet Kobbie Mainoo, with Chelsea also monitoring his situation. According to TEAMtalk’s Dean Jones, Spurs and the Blues are seen as far more realistic destinations than Real Madrid if the England international decides to leave Old Trafford.

Mainoo has been one of United’s brightest academy graduates in recent years. Promoted to the senior team in 2023, he quickly became a key figure under Erik ten Hag. However, the arrival of Ruben Amorim has shifted the dynamics. The 20-year-old midfielder now finds himself playing second fiddle to Bruno Fernandes, and despite his talent, he has seen just 76 minutes of league action across three outings this season.

Such limited involvement has inevitably raised questions about his future. Mainoo had already explored a summer loan move, with Spurs among the clubs to test United’s resolve. Their interest has not waned, especially given Thomas Frank’s desire to inject more quality into the midfield as Tottenham push to solidify their top-four credentials.

Spurs hold the edge over rivals

While Real Madrid’s name has been thrown into the mix, the reality is their interest remains speculative. Jones was clear that Madrid have yet to make concrete moves, with chief scout Juni Calafat simply keeping tabs on the player. In contrast, Tottenham’s admiration is active and longstanding.

Chelsea are also contenders, aligning with their youth-focused project, but Spurs arguably offer Mainoo something unique: a clear role in a balanced system under Frank, who has a proven track record of improving young midfielders. Dean Jones also pointed out that the £70m price tag being floated is unrealistic given Mainoo’s contract situation, meaning Spurs could find value in pursuing the deal sooner rather than later.

Drive home the advantage

From a Tottenham perspective, this is the type of opportunity that must not be missed. Mainoo is not just a technically gifted midfielder, he is a player with maturity beyond his years, capable of dictating games in possession while offering defensive solidity. At United, his pathway looks blocked, but at Spurs, he could become a centrepiece of Thomas Frank’s evolving project.

Real Madrid may bring glamour and Chelsea may bring financial muscle, but Tottenham offer the perfect blend of ambition, stability, and opportunity. If Spurs act decisively, they could secure one of England’s finest young midfielders and strengthen the squad for both the present and the future. This is exactly the kind of statement signing that could underline the club’s intent to challenge at the highest level.

This article first appeared on To The Lane And Back and was syndicated with permission.

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