Tom Weber
Tom Weber
Updated: 7 Mar 2025 19:53 GMT
3 min read
Kobbie Mainoo, Man Utd
© IMAGO
Kobbie Mainoo is expected to reject Manchester United's contract offer and leave the club, according to a report.
The homegrown wonderkid looks to be on his way out of Old Trafford. Mainoo has been locked in contract talks with the Red Devils for months, but there has been little progress to speak of to date.
Mainoo is reportedly asking for a massive pay rise. Man Utd would naturally be willing to give him a new salary that reflects his role as a first-team regular, but it seems that the cash-strapped Premier League giants are not ready to fully match his significant demands.
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Now, The Guardian reports that Mainoo 'plans' to formally reject Man Utd's contract offer and depart the club. The 19-year-old is still tied to the club until 2027, but this would undoubtedly be a huge blow to the Red Devils.
Kobbie Mainoo
© IMAGO - Kobbie Mainoo
Mainoo not keen on Chelsea
Intriguingly, the report claims that Mainoo is looking for a challenge outside of England. Despite heavy links to Chelsea in recent weeks and months, the teenager is not considering joining one of Man Utd's Premier League rivals.
His refusal to extend his contract puts Man Utd under massive pressure to sell him in the near future so as to avoid potentially losing him for free in two years.
The report does not specify whether Mainoo is looking to leave this summer or run down his contract, but it is stated that Man Utd will once more be open to offers for him.
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The Red Devils were already prepared to field interest in him in January due to their dire financial situation and the need to make funds available for a summer rebuild.
It is claimed that Man Utd are demanding an eye-watering €83 million for Mainoo, which casts doubt on their ability to sell him abroad. With the exception of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and perhaps one or two other clubs, there aren't many European sides who could afford such a deal.