Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is said to decline the chance to extend his contract with the club in order to play overseas.
Mainoo is among the top players to emerge from the Man United youth academy in the past ten years.
He joined the Red Devils’ first team under Erik ten Hag during the 2023/24 season, appearing 24 times in the Premier League.
The 19-year-old secured his England debut and a spot in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the previous summer’s European Championship following his standout performances in a struggling United side.
Mainoo is well-regarded at the club and throughout Europe, drawing transfer attention from competitors Chelsea during the winter transfer period.
At this time last year, the teenager was considered 'untouchable' by United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who welcomed bids for all players except for Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho, and Rasmus Hojlund.
No one is secure at Old Trafford anymore, from the tea lady to team captain Bruno Fernandes.
Ratcliffe’s restructuring has been harsh, exacerbating an already very bleak environment with his layoffs and dubious cost-reduction choices.
The departure of players such as Antony and Scott McTominay from United to achieve success elsewhere may contribute to Ruben Amorim losing some of his top players, with Mainoo being one star thought to be receptive to a transfer.
As per a report from Guardian Sport, it is stated that Mainoo ‘is inclined to turn down the new contract proposal from Manchester United and pursue an opportunity overseas’.
As a product of the academy who started at the club when he was six, this is somewhat unexpected, but you can't really hold it against him.
Mainoo has just two years left on his current contract and has been in discussions about an extension and salary increase for a while.
Discussions are evidently not going smoothly, and the England international is seriously contemplating a departure from Old Trafford.
The report states that Man United ‘would consider selling’ the player and think he is valued at ‘approximately £70million’.
Chelsea's past interest is noted, but Mainoo 'transitioning to another Premier League team is not something he is considering at the moment.'
United remain optimistic about reaching a new contract with the young midfielder and think he 'might still consent to enhanced terms' on the £20,000-a-week salary he presently receives.
Mainoo is definitely undercompensated, particularly when you take into account the staggering salaries that some of his counterparts receive.
Casemiro – whom the Englishman has regularly outperformed since joining the team – is thought to make over £300,000 weekly.
Although United aim to retain their top young talent, the income from his sale “would be a welcome advantage,” particularly since he is an academy graduate who can be sold for “pure profit.”
As the relationship between the fans and the club becomes increasingly tense each week, transferring a homegrown player while head coach Amorim aims to revamp the team "might be hard for numerous fans to accept."
There has been no communication between United and the clubs showing interest, but they would prefer to sell Mainoo in the summer to increase his value.
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