Chelsea may have an advantage in the apparent race to sign Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo.

Reports have emerged on Tuesday claiming that the Blues have an interest in signing Mainoo, with a deal possible before the January transfer window closes.

The Daily Mail have reported that Chelsea are leading the race to sign Mainoo, who is still thought to be in talks with Man United over a new contract.

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However, the 19-year-old is yet to put pen to paper on a new deal at Old Trafford, which is leading to speculation that United could be forced to sell their academy graduate. It has even been suggested that a move could be completed before the transfer window closes on February 3.

It remains to be seen if the interest from Chelsea turns out to be genuine, but if the report is true, then the Blues may have an advantage up their sleeves. Mainoo already has experience of playing alongside two members of Enzo Maresca's squad as recently as last summer.

Mainoo was part of the England squad at last summer's European Championships and shared a dressing room alongside Cole Palmer. The pair shared a bond during the tournament in Germany, and Palmer even reserved special praise for the United midfielder in a recent interview.

"He [Mainoo] knows I think he was the best player at the Euros, and obviously, you see what he's doing for one of the biggest clubs in the world," Palmer said of Mainoo in an interview with GQ back in November.

It's not just Palmer that Mainoo has experience playing alongside, but Jadon Sancho, too. Sancho is on loan at Chelsea from United, with an obligation to buy at the end of the season. The duo have only made one appearance together for the Red Devils, which came against Leicester City in February 2023.