Manchester United would prefer to sell Kobbie Mainoo to a foreign club if the two parties do not seal an agreement on a new contract anytime soon.
According to a report by Football Insider, Kobbie Mainoo faces an uncertain future at Manchester United heading into the summer transfer window. The two parties have reached nowhere in their talks over a new contract, with the discussions stalling in the last few weeks. The English midfield sensation has been on Chelsea’s radar since the winter, but the Red Devils prefer to sell him to a foreign club.
Kobbie Mainoo and his career so far
Kobbie Mainoo has established himself as one of the best young prospects in the world since breaking into the first-team squad at Manchester United. The Englishman benefitted from Erik ten Hag’s youth-driven outlook, becoming a regular in the middle of the park for the Premier League club last season.
Since then, the 19-year-old has come leaps and bounds, although he has struggled with fitness issues in the 2024/25 season. Mainoo has managed only 1,655 minutes of game time in 25 appearances across all competitions while chipping in with one goal and one assist.
However, Mainoo’s long-term future at Manchester United is uncertain, with talks between the two parties breaking down in the last few weeks. While the Red Devils have prioritised tying the English international to a new contract, they have failed to convince him to put pen to paper.
What next?
Kobbie Mainoo has piqued the attention of several high-profile clubs with his exploits for Manchester United. Chelsea mulled over signing the Manchester United wonderkid in the winter transfer window, and the Blues remain keen on securing his services ahead of the summer.
While Manchester United remain hopeful of tying Mainoo to a new long-term contract, they have decided to sell him to a foreign club if they cannot convince him to put pen to paper on a deal. So, Chelsea will face a tall order to land the 19-year-old Englishman in the summer transfer window.
Meanwhile, Manchester United will work to tie Mainoo to a long-term contract, and it will be interesting to see if the Red Devils can turn the English midfielder’s head when talks resume between the two parties.
