Wolverhampton Wanderers face a potential battle to retain one of their brightest young talents, with Premier League giants Chelsea and Manchester City reportedly showing interest in 18-year-old attacker Mateus Mane.
Top Clubs Circle Wolves' Teenage Prospect
According to former Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers chief scout Mick Brown, Mane's breakthrough performances at Molineux have placed him firmly on the radar of England's elite clubs. Brown suggests that whenever a teenager delivers "impressive displays" in the top flight, attention from bigger teams is inevitable.
"You can bet the likes of Chelsea, Man City, those types of clubs will be looking at him," Brown told Football Insider. He added that almost every Premier League side is likely assessing Wolves' squad, given their precarious league position, to identify which players might become available.
Wolves' Relegation Battle Complicates Situation
The interest in Mane comes during a disastrous season for Wolves. After 20 fixtures, Rob Edwards' side remains rock bottom of the Premier League table with just six points. They are 15 points from safety, sitting in the relegation zone alongside West Ham and Burnley, with only one victory all campaign.
This context makes retaining key players like Mane both more difficult and more crucial. The club must decide if they can keep their star assets in hope of an immediate promotion, or if financial pressures will force sales. Mane is under contract until June 2029, giving Wolves significant control and the ability to demand a substantial fee.
Who is Mateus Mane?
The teenager, who arrived at Wolves in 2024 after spells at Barreirense and Rochdale, has quickly risen through the ranks. A former England youth international, he has become an important figure for Edwards this season.
To date, Mane has made nine Premier League appearances, contributing one goal and one assist. His development and current form suggest a very bright future, making him an attractive long-term project for clubs like Chelsea, now managed by Liam Rosenior, or a Pep Guardiola-led Manchester City looking to bolster their attacking options.
Wolves return to action aiming to close the gap to safety when they travel to face Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Wednesday night.
