Kobbie Mainoo’s contract negotiations with Manchester United have hit a roadblock, with the young midfielder holding out for a £150,000-a-week salary to reflect his growing influence at the club.
Despite his commitment to staying at Old Trafford, the financial standoff has cast doubt over his long-term future.
The 19-year-old academy graduate was one of the Premier League’s breakout stars last season, earning a place in England’s Euro 2024 squad and a Golden Boy nomination. However, injuries and inconsistent form have hampered his current campaign, limiting him to just 15 Premier League starts before a recent setback ruled him out until April.
Chelsea has been keeping a close eye on the situation, ready to make a move if talks collapse. With United navigating financial constraints and Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) concerns, selling homegrown talents like Mainoo could become a reluctant necessity. Any transfer fee for an academy product would register as pure profit, strengthening the club’s financial position.
