Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has rejected the contract offer tabled to him, according to the Guardian.
Mainoo has a deal worth around £20,000 per week that expires in 2027, but his representatives want his wages to reflect his role in the team.
The 19-year-old’s game time has reduced under manager Ruben Amorim, who had problems with the defensive side of his game.
United know they must sell now to avoid losing any value on Mainoo. The Red Devils want £70 million to let him go. He is an academy player and would fetch pure profit.
Chelsea were interested in the Man United midfielder, but he has no plans to stay in the Premier League.
With English clubs off the table, it is hard to identify a foreign club ready to cough up whatever Man United want for Mainoo.
A £70m fee immediately takes Bundesliga clubs out of the equation. The only potential suitor in France is Paris Saint-Germain, and they are stacked in their engine room.
Real Madrid are not in the market for a new midfielder, while arch-rivals Barcelona are in a debilitating financial situation that makes such an expensive transfer impossible.
Serie A clubs could be interested in Mainoo. His style of play suits the Italian game, and Napoli could come calling, having taken Scott McTominay off their hands last summer.
With Andre-Franck Zambo Anguissa’s deal running down and no renewal in sight, Mainoo can slot into the first team under Antonio Conte.
The Italian tactician knows how to improve his players, and the England international could learn plenty from him.
Juventus and Inter Milan could also use midfield additions, but they won’t be keen on shelling out £70m for such an inexperienced player.
