The latest update on Kobbie Mainoo’s contract negotiations have been given after transfer expert David Ornstein revealed there is a “growing sense” he will stay at Manchester United.
Kobbie Mainoo’s future at Manchester United was cast into doubt earlier this year after he was taken off the club’s “unsellables” list for the summer window.
Mainoo broke out as a bona fide young star during Erik ten Hag’s second season at United, scoring multiple wonderful goals and the winner against Manchester City in the FA Cup final in May 2024 before starting for England in the 2024 European Championships final.
However, after a series of injuries and a change in manager, reports broke that the club would be reluctantly willing to part ways with Mainoo if a bid of around £70 million was lodged in the summer.
Although Chelsea have shown interest in the 20-year-old midfielder, reports have stated that, should Mainoo leave Old Trafford, he’d rather play for a club outside England.
Ornstein’s positive update on Mainoo’s future
Amid concerns from United fans that Mainoo could leave, transfer expert David Ornstein has provided a positive update on the midfielder’s situation.
In a Q&A session with The Athletic, Ornstein stated that although there was no certainty around his future, there is a “growing sense” at Old Trafford that Mainoo will remain at United this summer.
There has been considerable debate surrounding Mainoo’s future on the pitch under Rúben Amorim, with it so far being unclear whether he is better utilised as an attacking or defensive-minded midfielder.
However, following a stunning finish against Olympique Lyonnais during a 5-4 comeback victory in the Europa League, there has been a push from fans for Amorim to trial him as part of the club’s front three.
The latest on Mainoo’s contract situation
A significant factor as to why Mainoo’s future is in doubt is that, with the player having two seasons left on his current deal following the end of the 2024/25 campaign, United must look to offer him a new contract.
However, Mainoo is said to want a wage that reflects his status as a first-team player, which his team reportedly view as one in excess of £150,000-a-week, while United want to keep their current wage bill as low as possible.
Despite initial differences between the player and the club, the latest reports from earlier this month detailed that United are set to land a breakthrough in negotiations, with Mainoo willing to compromise on his new wage to stay at Old Trafford.
It is claimed that Maiono would like to continue working under Amorim, and United are willing to bring him in line with the £100,000-a-week wage recently handed to Amad, with the chances of talks completely collapsing being minimal.
As far as reports state, it seems as if United and Mainoo will be able to come to a complete agreement on his new personal terms sooner rather than later, and that he will remain a United player heading into the 2025/26 campaign.
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