View: Everton surely have edge to sign 'unhappy' ex-England int'l as contract talks loom

Everton may still be monitoring Kobbie Mainoo’s uncertain situation at Manchester United.

The Toffees were interested in signing the 20-year-old this winter, who has been in talks to leave Man United in the past two transfer windows.

According to an update from TEAMtalk, despite the midfielder’s recent involvement for Michael Carrick, his contract situation is “up in the air” and issues over a renewal are present.

There is speculation that Mainoo is earning £25,000 per week at Old Trafford, something he and his representatives are believed to be “unhappy” about, given the lack of communication he’s had with the club over the last year, despite agreeing to a salary compromise.

Everton were also linked with a possible swap deal between James Garner and Mainoo, but in an ideal world, David Moyes would have both.

• Read more: Everything we know about James Garner’s contract situation as Everton heroics continue

Everton target Kobbie Mainoo set for fresh round of contract talks

The Toffees have an ageing Idrissa Gana Gueye within their ranks, and though he is performing well, a replacement is soon needed.

It is reported that Mainoo and his camp will have a meeting with Manchester United over a new deal in March, which will include terms over his wage and playing time.

• Mainoo has started all eight games under Carrick
• He has two assists in that time period

He has had a boost in playing time under Carrick, but with the former Middlesbrough boss only at United on an interim basis, the ex-England international may not get the same chances next season.

Add to the fact that United’s top target is a defensive midfielder next season, the chances of Mainoo wanting to stay at a club where he won’t get playing opportunities are slim.

Everton can offer him a new home, and he would perfectly fit the direction and model that the Toffees are looking to go with at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

• Read more: Everton could get summer cash boost as £95m Anthony Gordon exit news emerges

Does Idrissa Gana Gueye really need upgrading?

The difficult situation with Gana Gueye is that he is so loved on Merseyside. The 36-year-old has been a strong trooper for the Blues for years and hasn’t slowed down all that much.

However, there comes a point where every player is past his best days, and that can come quickly, especially for someone of Gana Gueye’s age – look at Mohamed Salah for Liverpool this season.

The Senegalese midfielder is still going strong for Moyes, but the level that Garner has shown next to him this season proves there is room for improvement.

Just imagine how good the Toffees could be with another top-class midfielder next to Garner, as well as a prolific striker.

The Friedkin Group kept their cash in their pockets in the winter, so let’s hope that they can go all out and give Mainoo a role at Hill Dickinson Stadium that he simply cannot turn down.

For more transfer stories on the Toffees, visit Football Insider and have a look at their coverage.

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