As Manchester United go in search of the funds needed to rebuild Ruben Amorim's side, Real Madrid could reportedly make their move to sign one of their most promising players.
Real Madrid eyeing top Man Utd talent
It's been a mixed week for the Red Devils. On the pitch, they were excellent and enjoyed one of their best performance under Amorim against Real Sociedad. Away from the action, however, Sir Jim Ratcliffe was doing them no favours in his interview with Gary Neville, stealing plenty of headlines for all the wrong reasons. Then of course, a day later, the British billionaire announced plans to build the new Old Trafford - again splitting opinions.
The headlines are unlikely to stop there, either, as the summer approaches and Manchester United eye a much-needed rebuild which will need sacrifices along the way. Among those who could leave include Marcus Rashford, who's currently on loan at Aston Villa, and one other academy graduate amid impressive interest.
According to reports in Spain, Real Madrid are now targeting a move to sign Kobbie Mainoo from Manchester United this summer with the midfielder reportedly set to reject a new contract offer from the Red Devils.
Other Rashford Related
Amorim has unearthed the new Rashford at Man Utd & it's not Garnacho
Manchester United may have stumbled across a gem who could replicate Marcus Rashford.
The news also follows reports that Mainoo is demanding as much as £180,000-a-week to stay put at Old Trafford, which would be a £160,000-a-week pay rise from his current salary.
With Ratcliffe already cutting costs, Mainoo's wage demand is one that Manchester United may not be able to reach and may not want to reach for a player who is still just 19 years old.
Man Utd must remain firm on Mainoo stance
There's no doubt that Mainoo is a player full of potential. He's proved that much since bursting onto the scene and scoring the winning goal against Manchester City in last season's FA Cup final. But at 19 years old, Manchester United should not accept his reported wage demands. Ratcliffe simply cannot continue to cut costs for those outside of the playing staff and then reward what is still a failing group of players - Mainoo included.
Stuck at a crossroads, the Red Devils could have little choice but to cash-in on their young midfielder, who was dubbed "elite" by football talent scout Jacek Kulig in August. What that would at least do, however, is hand Amorim and Manchester United some much-needed funds for reinforcements of their own.
kobbie mainoo
It's then that the former Sporting Club boss could mark his own stamp on the current side once and for all, welcoming players who suit his 3-4-2-1 system at Old Trafford.
Amid so many moving parts, Manchester United - as ever - will be among the most interesting sides to watch this summer. The same, meanwhile, can be said for Mainoo as he potentially becomes the latest player to move on.