How Chelsea are being used for leverage in £200,000 contract standoff | OneFootball

Last night we came to you with the pretty spicy news that Chelsea are interested in Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, and today there’s an update.

The Red Devils clearly want to push back against the notion that they could let their homegrown star go as they’re unable to offer him a new contract which meets his demands of around £200,000 a week. CaughtOffside have the exclusive today which claims that “those close to the situation have played down these suggestion.”

United are apparently “not open to letting the youngster leave” as he is “very much part of Ruben Amorim’s plans.”

It sounds like a classic brief from the club, who want to push back against the idea they would ever let a top talent like the England capped midfielder go. The 19 year old is still on £20,000 a week but has made himself a first team regular, and despite some struggles this season looks set to be a key player for years, especially once Amorim has really got them firing.

Given the crazy money they’re playing some of their bench players, it’s a situation that needs to be resolved.

Chelsea set to circle until a new deal is reached

Kobbie Mainoo playing for Manchester United. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

We wrote last night that this felt like a classic play from Mainoo’s team to get him a bigger contract, and this latest pushback from United does nothing to dispel that idea. Their priority is to get some big earners off their books, then they can give Mainoo the mega deal he wants.

In the interim, however, tensions will only grow as the remaining months on his deal tick by, and while that continues expect Chelsea to continue hovering ready to strike should there be any long term difficulties tying Mainoo down.