π¨π€― ππππππππ: Man United would reluctantly consider SELLING Kobbie Mainoo due to their FINANCIAL situation, reports The Athletic! .
United have reached a stalemate in contract talks with Mainooβs representatives, alerting Europeβs top clubs to the fact he could be sold this month or at the end of the season.
Mail Sport understands that Chelsea are in pole position to sign the 19-year-old if he cannot agree new terms at United, although there is bound to be competition from theirΒ Premier LeagueΒ rivals and big clubs abroad
United will hope that a compromise can still be reached and they can keep hold of their homegrown star.
Mainoo signed a new contract last year which ties him to United until June 2027, but he has been in talks over a new deal that would reflect his status as a first-team regular and England international who started in the final ofΒ EuroΒ 2024.
However, United are trying to drive down their wage bill as they look to offload big earners likeΒ CasemiroΒ on Β£375,000-a-week,Β Marcus RashfordΒ on Β£315,000 andΒ AntonyΒ on Β£200,000 in the January window.
The player is also believed to be concerned over the direction of the club and his chances of playing Champions League football, with Ruben Amorimβs side currently in 13th place in the Premier League table.
After a breakthrough season under Erik ten Hag, Mainoo has had a dip in form this term but underlined his potential as one of the best midfielders in the country with his recent performances against Liverpool and Manchester City.
The Stockport-born teenager is a poster boy for Unitedβs famed academy system and had previously been seen as untouchable.
But the clubβs financial problems and struggle to comply with profit and sustainability rules β under which homegrown players are worth roughly four times as much as other players β has made it a reality.
Itβs one more reason why United are more open to letting Rashford go in January, and would also consider selling Alejandro Garnacho β another player previously seen as off limits.
The only two players currently untouchable at Old Trafford are Β£59million summer signing Leny Yoro and Amad Diallo, who is close to signing a new contract after establishing himself as a key player under Amorim.
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