'I joined Chelsea from Man Utd like Kobbie Mainoo could – it was my biggest career regret'
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Former Manchester United midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron’s failed Chelsea move serves as a warning to current Red Devils star Kobbie Mainoo. United academy graduate Mainoo is currently under contract until 2027 but is in talks with the club over a new deal which would drastically increase his current £20,000-per-week wages to reflect his new-found value to the team. It is understood that the 19-year-old’s representatives are seeking a £200,000-a-week contract which would place him among United’s top five earners.
Talk of him tripling his wages at the end of last season came to nothing and a stalemate has now emerged in negotiations over fresh terms. The teenager’s uncertain future has also reportedly caught the attention of Premier League rivals Chelsea, who are ready to offer him an escape route with a bid in the region of £70million.
The Daily Mail reports Mainoo is aware that he would be offered terms that reflect his talent at other clubs, while he is also reportedly worried about United’s slide as the club currently sitting 13th in the league. But while fourth-placed Chelsea are an attractive destination, former Premier League winner Veron still has regrets over making the same move to this day.
The Argentine legend joined United in a £28m deal from Lazio in 2001. While he failed to hit the heights expected of him at Old Trafford, Veron remains more frustrated about leaving the Red Devils to sign for Chelsea. He told FourFourTwo in 2021: "I signed for United because I had a passport issue in Italy and thought a change of scenery would be good for my mind. Truth be told, I had a pessimistic view about playing in England, as I imagined that life there would be so different to what I was used to - the Latin lifestyle.
