United and Liverpool Circle Wolves' Mane After Failed Winter Swoop; Relegation Could Slash Price Tag

Manchester United and Liverpool have both held formal discussions with Wolves regarding a move for 18-year-old Mateus Mane, though neither club was willing to meet the West Midlands outfit's asking price of £45-£50m during the January window.

The Red Devils had splashed over £200m in the summer on attacking reinforcements—bringing in Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo—but opted against further additions when the winter transfer market opened. That restraint changed when scouts from both Manchester and Merseyside turned their attention to Wolves' standout performer.

Mane has been the rare bright spot in a dismal campaign for Rob Edwards' side, scoring in their sole Premier League victory against West Ham last month. Edwards waxed lyrical about the teenager following that display, describing him as "a very bright talent" who carries himself "almost like a little leader on the pitch."

"He's 18, but he plays with real commitment and energy," the Wolves boss explained. "He influences others through his enthusiasm. He's someone we should really admire, but we want to make sure we look after him."

Top clubs have been compiling glowing dossiers on the youngster, with their scouts tracking his progress intensely over recent weeks. The evaluations are reportedly filled with "extraordinary" ratings, prompting both United and Liverpool to make formal enquiries. However, Wolves stood firm, unwilling to negotiate on a valuation that reflected both their confidence in the player and their recent financial windfall.

The club had already banked a record transfer fee when Jørgen Strand Larsen departed for Crystal Palace earlier in the window, leaving them with little incentive to cash in on their prized asset. That comfort was evident in their unsuccessful late attempt to bring in Girona forward Vladyslav Vanat as Strand Larsen's replacement—a deal that fell through on deadline day despite groundwork being completed.

For now, Mane remains focused on his work at Molineux, though the summer transfer window could tell a different story. With Liverpool and United both having made preliminary approaches through his representatives, a significant battle appears inevitable. Crucially, Wolves' final league position could prove decisive: relegation to the Championship would likely force the club to accept a substantially reduced fee, opening the door for either suitor to finally land their man at a more palatable price.