Man Utd make Mainoo move in desperate bid to fend off Chelsea transfer interest

Manchester United have held fresh talks with Kobbie Mainoo's representatives over a new contract, as Chelsea wait in the wings.

Mainoo, 19, saw talks over a lucrative new deal at United stall ahead of the winter transfer window. It was then when it emerged that Chelsea were at the front of the queue should the Red Devils decide to cut their losses and sell Mainoo.

Due to the midfielder being a product of the club's academy, United would generate 100 per cent profit. Given how Mainoo is reportedly valued between £70million and £80m, his sale would be a substantial boost to the Red Devils' finances.

United announced plans for more job redundancies last month, having already cut 250 roles last year, after revealing during the transfer window that were at risk of breaching the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules. But their ideal scenario is still for Mainoo, currently one of the lowest-paid first-team players in Ruben Amorim's squad, to stay.

United have reopened talks with Mainoo's representatives, who are seeking a £180,000-a-week deal for the 19-year-old to recognise his status as a first-team regular and budding England star. Mainoo is understood to currently earn around £20,000 per week and is under contract until 2027 after he signed a long-term deal following his breakthrough in 2023.

United hope, according to The Mail, that that a compromise can be reached and that Mainoo will remain at the heart of Amorim's midfield. The 10-time England international hasn't played since February 7 due to a calf injury and isn't expected to called up by new Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel ahead of their World Cup qualifying double-header later this month.

Both Mainoo and fellow coveted United youngster Alejandro Garnacho were tipped for the exit door in January but Amorim wants to keep the duo. Asked in January if there were difficult decisions to be made on players' futures because of the need to comply with PSR, Amorim replied: "That part is true. But I want players like Kobbie and Garnacho.

"The focus is that we have to improve our academy. And you have to bring more [through]. That is something that all the clubs in England have to take advantage of.

"The players that come from their academies. To play, to feel the shirt, but also to sell them. So our focus is to bring more [through].