Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo plans to turn down a contract extension offer, according to a new report. Chelsea have been linked to the England international and Alejandro Garnacho with United facing the prospect of needing to sell homegrown stars in order to ease profit and sustainability worries.
Mainoo has missed the last few weeks with injury striking at the worst possible time, just as he was starting to get some joy in a new attacking role. With Ruben Amorim seemingly finding the perfect position for him to show off his qualities, there is a scenario in which he is not at the club for the 2025/2026 season.
The 19-year-old sees his current deal expire in 2027, but United could actually be forced to cash in on him this summer. United's finance issues have been well documented over the last few months, with Amorim issuing a brutal verdict on plans for the upcoming trading period.
"It is simple. To do something, we need to sell players. Our focus now is to win these games. Then we have time to focus on that," he admitted. Chelsea could subsequently take advantage of that by making a move for Mainoo, but it now seems as though the player would not be open to that specific switch.
According to reports from The Guardian, with Mainoo minded to reject the offer of a new contract from United, he plans to seek a move overseas. Given how Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane have thrived outside of England, it is no surprise he is interested in playing overseas.
United would want £70million to sanction the teenager's departure with that a fee the likes of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain could certainly afford. If the Blues cannot tempt Mainoo with a switch to Stamford Bridge, a number of alternatives will likely be considered.
Enzo Maresca currently has limited options in the engine room - with Romeo Lavia out injured for the majority of the season and Andrey Santos out on loan. However, come August 2025, that scenario could well be different and may lead Chelsea to strengthening elsewhere first.
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Chelsea flag prior the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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