The Athletic report what they are hearing on Kobbie Mainoo to Chelsea links | OneFootball

The Athletic have put their report out on what they have been hearing regarding Chelsea’s links with Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United.

It was all expected to be a pretty quiet window for Chelsea this January, with outgoings being the focus. But already we have had a lot of drama unfold to be speaking about and reporting on.

EXCLUSIVE! Chelsea make club and agent contact to sign new defender THIS MONTH!!

We had all the noise regarding Chelsea wanting to sign a new centre back earlier this week, with reports suggesting that they are at the very least enquiring to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. There has also been some noises about maybe recalling Trevoh Chalobah from his loan spell at Palace as well.

Chelsea have also been linked with strikers, but the feeling is that unless they make a sale in attack, then that is one that will wait until the summer.

But nobody expected Chelsea to be linked with midfielders this month, especially not United’s young star Kobbie Mainoo!

The Athletic jump in

Mainoo to Chelsea has legs it seems

They claim that Chelsea hold Kobbie Mainoo in high regard and he is on a list of possible transfer targets. But it is no more than that right now.

Chelsea apparently have compiled a lengthy dossier of players they are looking at as potential signings for the future as they look to tweak the squad this year and in 2026. And it seems Mainoo might be on that list.

What about Andrey Santos though, who is incredible?

The Athletic say Chelsea have earmarked Andrey Santos to be part of the squad for the 2025-26 campaign, although he has high-profile suitors in Europe, with his season-long loan at Strasbourg coming to an end.

It’s an intriguing situation to be watching unfold for sure.