Manchester United may need to sanction three exits to fund Kobbie Mainoo’s new contract, according to reports. It is claimed that the teenage star wants £200,000 per week to reflect his heightened status with the Red Devils and England.
United agreed a new deal with Mainoo last year and his contract does not expire until 2027. However, since then, Mainoo has become a key player at Old Trafford and played in each of England’s Euro 2024 knockout matches - including the final.
The Red Devils will be keen for Mainoo to commit his long-term future to the club before he enters the final two years of his deal. It is at that point that players tend to grasp more power over their futures as their valuation decreases and clubs grow desperate to get them to extend their terms.
However, the Daily Mail reports that United have reached a ‘stalemate’ during contract negotiations with Mainoo’s representatives. The Premier League club may need to drive down their wage bill before sanctioning an agreement that would see the 19-year-old bag his reported £200k per-week demand.
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The report adds that United are focusing on offloading high earners Casemiro, Marcus Rashford and Antony. Casemiro penned a deal on £375k per week when he arrived from Real Madrid in 2022, while United are finding it difficult to shift outcast Rashford in part due to his reported £315k salary.
Antony is reported to be earning £200k at Old Trafford and is another player who could move on over the coming weeks. Trimming their wage bill will be crucial in landing new deals for Mainoo and fellow youngster Alejandro Garnacho.
It is claimed that several clubs are monitoring Mainoo’s contract situation. The report states that Chelsea are the frontrunners to land the midfielder if he makes the shock decision to quit Old Trafford.
The academy graduate is aware that he could command better terms elsewhere. Mainoo is also said to be ‘concerned’ over the direction of his current club and his chances of playing Champions League football.
United reportedly no longer view Mainoo as ‘untouchable’. He was previously considered unsellable but it is reported that profit and sustainability rules - under which homegrown talent is worth four times more than other players - has made the idea of Mainoo’s exit not unfathomable.
It is another reason why United are open to allowing Rashford to depart, while they would also reportedly consider selling Garnacho.
