Mateus Mane has been a rare shining light in what has been a dismal campaign for Wolves. The club have spent all of the season in the Premier League drop zone, with their relegation back to the Championship confirmed last month. But the emergence of Portugal under-21 international Mane has been a rare bit of light in a dark season.
The teenager came into the fold over the festive period and has been a regular starter ever since. He has turned out 27 times for Wolves in all competitions this season, netting in a win over West Ham and a draw with Everton. His impact has already sparked reports over his future, and a well-known pundit has claimed that Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has already been asking questions about the star.
Talksport's Michael Gray has revealed in an interview that the City boss was in conversation with Rob Edwards following a clash between the two sides, discussing the Wolves youngster. He insists it is 'no surprise' given his impact this season, with Gray describing Mane as an 'exceptional talent'. However, the former Sunderland full-back believes Mane would benefit from spending a season in the Championship with Wolves, amid reports over his future.
In an interview for GOAL, in association with Kiwislots, Gray said: 'I've seen him quite a few times this season, I have covered Wolves on a few occasions, and he's an exceptional talent, there's no doubt, but he's raw at the moment. If you think of where he's come from, his background, going out to different clubs when he was younger, and then coming back to Wolves and being thrown into the deep end, but he's kind of the go-to man if you look at the way that Wolves have played over the last 10-15 games towards the end of the season.'
Gray added: 'I was actually in the tunnel after Wolves played Manchester City and Pep Guardiola was having a conversation with Rob Edwards about him, so I think that kind of says it all really. He's seen a talent, he's asked a question about him, and I think you can only see him getting better because he's got all the attributes to be a brilliant Premier League player if he keeps his feet on the ground. But if I was him, and it's very difficult because agents get in players' ears, but if I was him, I think another year playing Championship football would do him the world of good.'
