BAYERN MUNICH are set to join the race for Kobbie Mainoo, SunSport can reveal.
The Manchester United midfielder could be on his way out of Old Trafford if the club are unable to afford his wage demands.
Mainoo - whose current £20,000-a-week contract expires in 2027 - is hoping for a fresh deal worth £200,000-a-week.
But United are believed to be reluctant to go that high - which has led to reports Mainoo could leave the club either during this window or over the summer.
Chelsea are at the front of the queue for the midfielder, but SunSport has learned that the London club will not be the only side chasing him.
German giants Bayern are also long-term admirers and are planning to make a move if he becomes available.
It comes days after Ruben Amorim challenged Mainoo to show he deserves to join Man Utd’s high earners.
Despite Mainoo’s meteoric rise, the England star is one of their lowest earners and wants a ten-fold increase on his salary.
Amorim knows the 19-year-old midfielder is a jewel in the Old Trafford crown.
Yet the United chief insists Mainoo still needs plenty of polishing and said: “Kobbie has been improving a lot over the last few matches.
“But I think you guys feel like he is the finished product — he is not.
“He is really good but can be so much better. He has so much potential to grow up even more.”
It has been an amazing 18 months for Mainoo, who is currently earning £20k-a-week.
He missed the start of last season with an injury sustained on the summer tour, but after joining the first-team in November and making a huge impact he soon became a regular.
Mainoo ended an epic breakout campaign with the deciding goal as star man in United’s FA Cup final win over City.
He also impressed in United’s last two games, the impressive draw at Anfield against Liverpool and the FA Cup win over Arsenal at the Emirates.