Manchester United have reportedly told Real Madrid they must pay a similar fee for Kobbie Mainoo to that which they spent on Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer of 2009.
Spanish outlet Fichajes.net reports that Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Newcastle United and Napoli are all eyeing the English midfielder. Mainoo. He is growing frustrated with his lack of game time under Ruben Amorim, starting just one of three games across competitions this season.
Mainoo had submitted a loan request in the latter stages of the summer transfer window which was turned down by the club. Amorim has made it clear he wants the 20-year-old to stay and continue developing at Old Trafford.
Man Utd Name Their Price For Kobbie Mainoo
Kobbie Mainoo
While United and Amorim seem intent on keeping Mainoo, his struggle for first-team opportunities is inevitably leading to talk of a possible exit. A move to Madrid would see him follow in Jude Bellingham's footsteps, although he'd face even heavier competition for places in Xabi Alonso's midfield.
The Red Devils have told the La Liga giants and other suitors that they will only consider selling their academy graduate for around €90m (£78.4m). That's just shy of the £80m record-breaking fee Los Blancos spent on Ronaldo during the club's glory days under Sir Alex Ferguson.
It's said that this price is "well above" his market value, and Madrid views it as "excessive" and "difficult to accept." But the Spaniards have splashed the cash on their midfield in recent years, bringing the likes of Jude Bellingham (£88m) and Aurelien Tchouameni (£85m) to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Mainoo's preference, should he leave United, has been to head abroad despite interest shown in the English youngster by Chelsea. His current deal expires in the summer of 2027, and there are no signs of contract extension talks progressing in a positive direction.