Manchester United is set to begin talks on a new contract for their talented young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo as the club also looks to hold on to captain Bruno Fernandes amid rumors of a transfer for both players.
It is reported that the Red Devils consider the midfield area as a very important area for their rebuilding process and are determined not only to keep one of the two players but both of them.
With only 18 months left on his current contract, Mainoo is understood to be offered a major raise that would reflect the level to which he has become a key player of the team. The 20-year-old has been linked to a number of European clubs, including Napoli, but the club has no plans to sell and considers him as part of the foundation that they will build the team upon in the future.
In contrast, the case of Fernandes is quite different and more difficult. The Portuguese has been rumored as the next biggest star to be headhunted by Saudi Arabia, with reported offers of up to £100 million. Part of this money could be used for the reorganization of the team but the club would prefer their influential playmaker stay for at least one more season.
Bruno’s current deal expires in 2027, and the contract also includes an option for an additional year. The discussions are likely to take place before the summer World Cup. The club is hopeful that they will be able to finalize the situation soon as they are still scouting for potential midfielders that would raise the quality of the team when added to their current core players.
