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Manchester United could be dealt a major blow with Kobbie Mainoo inclined towards rejecting the club’s latest contract offer in favour of moving abroad.
The Guardian have revealed that the Englishman has no plans of moving to another Premier League club with INEOS open to his sale, hoping to earn £70 million from his sale.
“Kobbie Mainoo is minded to reject the offer of a new contract at Manchester United and seek a move abroad.
“The midfielder has two years on his deal but the club would be open to selling the England international, who is valued at about £70m, to help their finances.”
Mainoo to leave
So far, no foreign teams have come forward for the midfield ace, with not too many teams capable of paying what the player and United’s co-owners want.
The Carrington graduate currently has two years left on his deal with the club having the option of extending it by another year.
He currently earns £20,000 gross per week (via capology) but wants to bring his earnings in line with other top earners at the club after becoming a pivotal first-team star.
There have been reports stating he is asking for £180,000 per week plus bonuses but INEOS are trying to trim the wage bill and were hoping to agree a deal for a lot lesser.
United have so far been reluctant to match his demands which allowed Chelsea to sneak in and try to agree a deal with the England international in January.
However, no deal materialised and since the January window closed, United have been locked in talks with the midfielder’s camp, hoping to agree a deal before the season concluded.
Huge blow for United
There have even been reports stating Mainoo prefers to stay at his boyhood club with the Blues unlikely to be able to pay what the player is asking for.
However, this report will come as a huge blow to Ruben Amorim, who was counting on Mainoo to become a lynchpin of his side moving forwards.
So far, the Portuguese coach has tried him as a defensive midfielder, as part of a midfield pivot, as an attacking midfielder as well as a false nine. Finding the best position for him was supposed to be one of Amorim’s biggest challenges.
Even more disappointed, if this does come true, will be the fans who will be devastated to see such a highly-rated academy graduate leave the club.
The England international is currently out injured but is hoping to return in April.
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