Man Utd slash Kobbie Mainoo asking price as Old Trafford exit beckons

Manchester United are prepared to slash their asking price for Kobbie Mainoo to less than £45million in the final days of the summer transfer window.

Mainoo is still to play a minute of football this term having been left on the bench in United’s opening two matches of the new Premier League season.

It has sparked doubts over his future at Old Trafford with Ruben Amorim telling him he is now in direct competition with his captain Bruno Fernandes for one midfield role.

Mainoo is open to leaving his boyhood club before the transfer window closes on Monday, having discussed that possibility with his teammates.

United are prepared to selling their prized academy graduate – a position they have held for most of the year. While they are not actively looking to move him on as is the case with members of the ‘bomb squad’ in Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho and Antony, they will listen to offers.

As has also been the case with Alejandro Garnacho, United have been willing to cash in Mainoo for the right price since January. Chelsea, interested in both players, were quoted £70million when they enquired into a move for the midfielder at the start of the year.

The Athletic report United would now be prepared to accept around £45m, perhaps even less as the final days hours of the summer transfer window tick by.

Should he leave the club, the report claims Mainoo’s preference would be to leave the Premier League. Bayern Munich have previously looked into a move while Erik ten Hag would be eager for a reunion at Bayer Leverkusen.

Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have also been credited with interest while Chelsea are not the only Premier League side monitoring the situation.

Mainoo’s situation is also complicated by ongoing contract talks. The 20-year-old signed a four-year deal with the option of a further 12 months in February 2023, with that deal believed to be worth around £20,000-a-week.

Having since become an England regular and scored vital goals for his club, he is hoping for a considerable salary increase with reports claiming his camp have requested £180,000-a-week.

Mainoo has failed to come off the bench against Arsenal and Fulham this season with Manuel Ugarte preferred on both occasions.

Speaking after the draw at Craven Cottage, Amorim explained the youngster and Fernandes are now in direct competition for the same role in his set-up.

The Athletic report the situation has left Mainoo ‘dumfounded’, surprised by the lack of clear communication and instruction from his manager.