In a major power play to secure their core for the future, Manchester United are readying a stunning double contract offensive for teenage sensations Kobbie Mainoo and Adam Wharton.
The Old Trafford hierarchy, determined to build a new era around homegrown British talent, are set to open talks with Mainoo's representatives imminently. The 18-year-old midfielder enjoyed a breathtaking breakout season, cementing himself as a first-team regular and earning a late call-up to Gareth Southgate's England squad for Euro 2024.
Mainoo's remarkable rise is set to be rewarded with a significant pay hike and a long-term deal that reflects his new status as a pivotal figure in Erik ten Hag's project. The club sees him as absolutely fundamental to their long-term vision.
In a parallel and equally ambitious move, the Red Devils are also preparing a formal approach to Crystal Palace for midfield prodigy Adam Wharton. The 20-year-old has been on United's radar for some time, but his own exceptional end to the season and subsequent inclusion in England's provisional Euros squad have accelerated their interest.
United's recruitment team, along with incoming sporting director Dan Ashworth, are huge admirers of Wharton's composure, passing range, and maturity beyond his years. They view him as the ideal long-term partner for Mainoo in the heart of the United engine room for the next decade.
Securing Wharton, however, will require meeting Palace's substantial valuation, which has skyrocketed since his £22 million move from Blackburn Rovers in January. The Eagles are under no pressure to sell and will demand a premium fee for one of English football's most coveted young talents.
This double pursuit signals a clear and exciting shift in transfer strategy at Old Trafford: identifying and investing in the best young domestic players to form the foundation of the team for years to come.
