First calls made: Romano confirms the wheels are now in motion for Man Utd to negotiate deals for £82m duo

Clubs interested in both Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee have begun contacting Manchester United to gauge the feasibility of deals getting done.

Primarily, West Ham United are actually attempting to complete a double loan swoop for the pair.

From the Irons’ point of view, the outcast Reds could play influential roles in potentially turning Nuno Espirito Santo’s fortunes around at the London Stadium. On the other hand, the players will be granted enough time to stake their claim for World Cup spots.

Mainoo (10 caps) has not featured for England since last September , while six-capped Zirkzee’s last appearance for the Netherlands came on November 19, 2024.

(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

In regard to their club action, the forward has made only four appearances in the opening nine fixtures of the campaign, none of which came from the off. His cameos have not exceeded the 10-minute mark as of mid-September.

As for Mainoo, who was recently valued at £45 million , he has also yet to start a Premier League game, but has been utilised slightly more than his teammate.

The 20-year-old was an unused substitute for the first two matches of 2025/2026, which prompted him to request to leave on loan in the final week of the window.

His pleas ultimately fell on deaf ears, as INEOS blocked any potential exit – even on a temporary basis.

It’s expected they’ll do the same in two months’ time, too, as Ruben Amorim is set to be navigating the absences of key starters Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo for a handful of matches in January due to the Africa Cup of Nations.

(Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)

“One of the players that we have to follow for the January transfer window is, for sure, Kobbie Mainoo ,” said Fabrizio Romano on Wednesday evening.

“I told you that Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee had this desire to play more, but on the other side, Manchester United still insist on keeping the players at the club – Ruben Amorim is insisting on keeping them.

“Amorim still hopes to keep Kobbie Mainoo . There is interest from Napoli after the injury to Kevin de Bruyne – Napoli wanted the player last summer, and remain interested in Mainoo.

“There is interest also from West Ham. West Ham have called to understand the situation of both Zirkzee and Mainoo – on loan, of course, for six months, to give them the opportunity to play, to give them the chance maybe to go to the World Cup.

“But at the moment, Man United are not open to negotiating.”

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