Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has said he wants to keep Kobe Mainu at the club, but has given no guarantees that will actually happen.
The England midfielder, 19, was linked with a move to Chelsea earlier this week amid an ongoing standoff over his proposed contract extension.
United officials say they are focused on securing the futures of Harry Maguire and Amad Diallo, who were free to talk to overseas clubs from January 1.
The pair have now agreed to an extension but Maino remains on his current contract, which is still two and a half years long.
Sources close to the teenager feel they are in a strong position to agree a significant rise given his enhanced status as an international and regular member of United's starting XI under Amorim, and previously Erik Ten Hag.
However, the issue is complicated by what United admits is a “rigid” stance on profit and sustainability and the knowledge that selling local players creates greater flexibility to sign players under the Premier League's financial rules, to which the Old Trafford side adhere.
“Our idea is always to keep the best players and the players we build for this club,” Amorim said ahead of the FA Cup trip to Arsenal on Sunday.
“But we know the club's position at the moment. We'll see.”
