Mainoo transfer race heats up as Chelsea get competition from Euro giants

Bayern Munich are reportedly ready to pounce for Kobbie Mainoo if Manchester United cannot agree a new contract for the young star.

Mainoo’s future has been the subject of much speculation during the early stages of the January transfer window, with a stalemate emerging in talks over a new deal. United first mentioned fresh terms for the midfielder at the end of last season, who is only being paid around £20,000 per week.

But months later, nothing has been agreed, with United so far unwilling to buckle to his demands of £200,000 per week. That has potentially left the door open for other clubs, with just 18 months left on his current contract.

Chelsea are keeping an eye on things, having become aware that Mainoo believes he could pull in what he believes he’s worth elsewhere. And now The Sun reports that Bayern have joined the race for the 19-year-old, having been admirers for a long time.

Mirror Football understands that United remain confident they can strike a deal to keep hold of their academy graduate. They will only consider selling this month if a huge bid of around £70million is made – a stance that Sir Jim Ratcliffe has outlined due to profit and sustainability concerns.

Ruben Amorim wants to keep hold of Mainoo, who has formed a promising partnership with summer signing Manuel Ugarte and is keeping Casemiro and Christian Eriksen out of the side. But the United manager has also issued a challenge to the youngster, demanding more consistency in his performances.

Amorim said: "I think Kobbie Mainoo is improving a lot during the last matches. But I think you guys feel like he is the finished product – and he is not. He has so much potential to grow up even more.

“He is really really good but he can be so much better. I think he is improving, all the players are improving, all the players are important for me, no matter whether they worked with me in the past.”

Mainoo is clearly deserving of more than his £20,000 per week, but United are reluctant to hand him a bumper deal, having been stung by such moves in the past. One of the reasons they are struggling to find a buyer for Marcus Rashford is due to his £325,000-a-week contract, while Casemiro is also earning £350,000 per week.

Amorim has been told to expect modest financial backing compared to Erik ten Hag, with United are under pressure to comply with PSR rules having posted losses before tax of £312.9m over the past three seasons. Selling Mainoo would count as pure profit from an accountancy perspective, because he’s homegrown, but United want to keep their young star regardless.