Liverpool are one of the Premier League teams that have entered the ‘frantic race’ to sign Wolves talent Mateus Mane.
The 18-year-old has burst onto the scene with Wolves this season, and despite the Birmingham outfit being threatened with relegation from the Premier League, he is giving them hope of survival.
Mane has seven goals and six assists this season but only two goals and two assists are at senior level. The Barreiro-born Englishman is raw but his potential is undeniable.
What sources say about Mateus Mane ahead of the summer transfer window
According to Mark Brus, reporting for the Daily Briefing, there is a whole host of clubs vying for Mane’s attention, including Liverpool. The Reds are said to lead the ‘£50m wonderkid chase.’
“Wolves accept that it’s going to be very hard for them to keep Mateus Mane,” one source told Brus. “This is one of the most outstanding talents in the country, and his rapid progression is no secret to Premier League scouts.”
Despite majority of the speculation surrounding Mane involving Manchester United, Brus reports that the teenager is certainly on their radar but it’s Liverpool who are in the lead.
Brus writes: “For now the information I’m getting is that Liverpool are leading the race for the 18-year-old’s signature.
“It’s still early enough for things to change, of course, but the Reds have done some early work on this deal, sounding out his representatives, with initial discussions described as ‘positive’.”
Mateus Manépic.twitter.com/EN2xbNhGyR
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Brus continued*: “Some sources are now saying Liverpool are fully prepared to make a bid for Mane this summer. The England youth international won’t come cheap, however, with Wolves’ current valuation being around the £50m mark. If they truly stand firm on that, then I wouldn’t expect Liverpool to go ahead and pay it.”*
Brus added that Arsenal are also in the mix but Liverpool are firmly in the driving seat as things stand.
Why Liverpool want Mane and why Mane should want Liverpool
Yes, Liverpool are dire this season, but they’re also one of the best clubs in the world at looking after young talent. They won’t lock the door against him leaving down the road if that’s his wish either.
Arne Slot admittedly has some work to do to prove he is anywhere near as reliable with young talent as Jurgen Klopp was, but as an institution, Mane will have no qualms about whether or not Liverpool can look after his potential and keep his best interests at heart.
It’s also no secret why Liverpool want Mane. While his surface-level numbers are not yet anything to shout about, his arrogance on the ball and confidence to demand more senior teammates give it to him is something that has really impressed.
Against Arsenal, in the dying moments of the 2-2 draw this week, it was Mane who upped the ante and helped take the game to the Premier League leaders.
That kind of attitude is what Liverpool will be desperate to bring to the club, especially after the Mentality Monsters moniker is no longer an accurate representation of the team under Slot.