The representatives of Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo are pushing for wages of £180,000-per-week for their client plus bonuses, a new report has claimed.

The 19-year-old is one of the most talented academy graduates United have produced in the last decade and is a regular starter in midfield for Ruben Amorim.

With Casemiro and Christian Eriksen no spring chickens and available for transfer, Mainoo is one of United’s most important players. But despite his prominent status in the squad, he was linked with a move to Chelsea in January because any sale would represent ‘100% profit’ for United and would go some way to complying with the Premier League’s strict profit and sustainability rules.

United don’t want to sell Mainoo, rather appreciate the value that a transfer could bring, and would instead prefer to tie the teenager down to a new contract. The same goes for Alejandro Garnacho, who is a dangerous figure on the left wing but could also help alleviate some of the pressure on club finances.

A report from the Daily Mail states that United have held fresh talks with Mainoo’s camp, with wages of £180,000-per-week plus bonuses wanted to reflect not only his importance to United, but also his standing in England national’s team.

Mainoo became a key player for the Three Lions at Euro 2024, offering something different to a midfield that started to stagnate under Gareth Southgate.

If terms can’t be agreed, a potential transfer away could pocket United between £70m and £80m – that’s the valuation that has been put on the midfielder, who can play in the anchor role, as a box-to-box midfielder and even in advanced role.

Mainoo is currently sidelined with a calf injury picked up in training and has missed United’s last three Premier League games as well as their FA Cup fifth round defeat to Fulham. He will also have a watching brief for the hugely important two-legged Europa League round of 16 tie with Real Sociedad – United’s last hope of securing European qualification for next season.

feed