According to reports, Manchester United have been ‘proposed’ a replacement for Kobbie Mainoo, whose ‘stance’ on a move elsewhere has been revealed.

It’s emerged that Man Utd are open to letting Mainoo leave as they look to raise funds for Ruben Amorim‘s huge rebuild at Old Trafford.

Mainoo had been considered to be among Man Utd’s untouchable stars after he enjoyed a remarkable breakout season in 2023/24 for his boyhood club and England.

Despite this, Mainoo is among the players they are willing to consider offers for as this pure profit sale would significantly boost Amorim’s budget heading into the summer.

It has also been noted that their preference would be to keep Mainoo, who is currently in negotiations to extend his contract beyond 2027.

Mainoo was ‘unhappy’ with United’s ‘initial’ offer, but Manchester Evening News reveals his ‘stance’ is he ‘wants’ to stay.

READ: Yoro clashes with Ronaldo but different Man Utd teammate gives Rashford dreadful ‘advice’

The report explains:

‘United opened contract talks with Mainoo’s camp in March last year and negotiations were heading in the right direction before stalling, which has led to uncertainty over his future.

‘Mainoo has been linked with Chelsea and United must operate within profit and sustainability rules (PSR). The Manchester Evening News understands Mainoo wants to stay at Old Trafford, although that is set to require an improved contract offer from the club after discussions.

‘The midfielder has been focussed on his performances for United and England while contract talks have been ongoing and there was no rush last year due the performance-related bonuses in Mainoo’s current contract having been triggered, but still no resolution has been found.

‘Talks are set to continue between both parties and Mainoo’s camp believe he deserves better terms than the club have offered following his rise to prominence in the last 18 months.’

MORE MAN UTD COVERAGE ON F365…
👉 Rashford transfer: Arsenal make shock £21m ‘phone call’ bid to beat Milan, Spurs to Man Utd star
👉 Man Utd transfer: Huge boost as £58.6m Gyokeres ‘agreement’ reached amid Bayern ‘hijack’ reports
👉 Man Utd ‘consider £40m offer’ for Arsenal target despite Amad contract extension

It would not be easy for Man Utd to replace Mainoo if he leaves. Former Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz is one potential option as The Daily Mail claims he has been offered to the Premier League giants. The report adds:

‘Nottingham Forest have enquired about a loan deal for Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz. The 26-year-old has also been proposed to Manchester United, City and Fulham with Juventus ideally looking to recoup the £21million they paid to Aston Villa in the summer.

‘United, meanwhile, would look for another midfielder as Casemiro is expected to join Al Nassr and Christian Eriksen may yet depart. Their priority is to add a striker with Randal Kolo Muani of Paris St Germain an option.’

Arsenal have made a shock ‘phone call’ to Manchester United over a move for Marcus Rashford in January, low-balling the Red Devils with a tempting offer.

Rashford wants out of Old Trafford having announced his desire for a “new challenge” last month, but options are thin on the ground thanks to his £300,000 per week wages and his lack of interest in a move to Saudi Arabia or Turkey.

Talks have reportedly been held with Juventus and Borussia Dortmund, while negotiations with Milan are supposedly more advanced.

A report on Thursday revealed that West Ham have also been asked to be ‘kept informed of Rashford’s situation’ after Graham Potter replaced Julen Lopetegui as manager ‘but know he is more likely to join a top European side’.

A sticking point for Milan could be their unwillingness to stump up more than half of Rashford’s £300,000-a-week wages, and that’s also sure to be a problem for Tottenham and their penny-pinching chairman Daniel Levy amid a report from the Daily Mail that they too are keen on the 27-year-old.

But it appears Arsenal may have found a way of coming to terms with Rashford’s lofty wages, by low-balling Manchester United in a shock ‘phone call’ to enquire over the forward.

MORE MANCHESTER UNITED COVERAGE ON F365
👉 Big Weekend: Arsenal v Man Utd, Accrington, Kinsky, Guardiola, Bayern Munich
👉 Man Utd ‘consider £40m offer’ for Arsenal target despite Amad contract extension
👉 Liverpool forward ‘considered’ to ‘replace’ hijacked Man Utd transfer target amid Rashford swap ‘talks’

Italian journalist Massimo Marianella, while discussing Milan’s ongoing attempt to sign Rashford, claims Arsenal made contact with the Red Devils on Friday.

He told Sky Sports (via Calciomercato): “It seems that Arsenal has made a phone call to Manchester United for Rashford. The club valued €25m.”

That offer of €25m (£21) falls well below United’s supposed £40m valuation for Rashford, but amid reports that other suitors are only interested in a loan move, with United likely needing to pay a significant portion of his wages, the Arsenal offer may well be tempting as they would reap the reward of a pure profit sale and have him off their wage bill.

It’s a move that makes sense for Arsenal too, assuming they can persuade him to sign on reduced terms – £300,000-a-week would make Rashford their highest earner, surpassing the £280,000-a-week they pay Kai Havertz.

Mikel Arteta is thought to want to bolster his forward options as they look to cope with the absence of Bukayo Saka.

Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard have failed to meet expectations for much of the season, Raheem Sterling’s loan move from Chelsea hasn’t worked out and while Gabriel Jesus’ form has improved dramatically in recent weeks, doubts remain as to whether they have the required quality in attack to chase down Liverpool in the Premier League.