Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is asking for a wage of £180,000 a week in contract negotiations, according to reports.
The Daily Mail claim that the teenager is requesting nine times his current £20,000 a week salary in order to sign an extension with the Red Devils.
It is believed that the club are hoping to find a compromise with Mainoo and his agent, but it remains to be seen if an agreement can be reached between the two parties.
Speculation about the 19-year-old’s long-term future began to surface back in January, with rumours suggesting that Chelsea are keeping tabs on his situation.
Mainoo is said to be keen on staying at Old Trafford, but there are external factors that could lead to United offloading one of their brightest young stars.
Profit and Sustainability Rules could play a role in selling Mainoo
Due to their profligate spending in recent transfer windows and the debt situation, United have backed themselves into a corner with PSR.
The recruitment department need funds to sign players who are a better fit for Ruben Amorim, but the Portuguese coach has spoken out to say that the club need to sell before they buy.
As Mainoo is an academy product, he would go down as pure profit on the balance sheet, so the proceeds from his sale could help bankroll the revamp of the first-team squad. It is the same reason why Alejandro Garnacho has been been made available.
How much could United raise by offloading the midfielder?
The vast majority of fans would be dead against selling one of the club’s prize assets but it is believed that the Red Devils may consider offers in the region of £70m to £80m.
If Chelsea or another team do table a proposal close to the valuation, a difficult decision may need to be made.