Arne Slot may be laser-focused on Liverpool’s immediate charge for silverware and Champions League qualification, but behind the scenes at the AXA Training Centre, the wheels are already turning for a significant summer of recruitment.
The Reds are understood to be positioning themselves for a high-stakes transfer tussle as they look to steal a march on their rivals for one of the Premier League’s most exciting teenage talents
Liverpool have been notorious big spenders as of late, with a mind-blowing £450m spent on the likes of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz last year, as Slot attempted to lift the top-flight title again.
That hasn’t gone to plan, though, with the Reds sat in an unsatisfactory sixth spot in the ever-changing league standings, at the time of writing, as injury latest deepens with relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
This doesn’t mean the Dutchman isn’t looking to the future, however, when it comes to signings who can improve his Reds ranks long-term, with Wolverhampton Wanderers sensation Mateus Mane reportedly catching his eye.
Liverpool enter into transfer tussle for £50m star
As per an exclusive report from SportsBoom, the reigning top-flight champions have now entered into talks about landing Mane, who is very much sticking out for Rob Edwards men, even as they sit at the very bottom of the league pile.
Liverpool have stepped up their pursuit of Wolves 18-year-old sensation, sending scouts to Molineux multiple times over the last month to watch the wonder-kid in person. They aren’t alone, however; arch-rivals Manchester United have also been spotted in the stands as the race for the teenager’s signature heats up.
It’s easy to see why the North West giants are circling. Despite Wolves struggles at the bottom of the table, the breakout ace has been in red-hot form, and word is a bid of around £50m would be enough to tempt the Midlands club into a sale.
Mateus Mane: 2025/26 Season stats (Wolves senior team):
| Competition | Games | Minutes | Goals | Assists |
| Premier League | 15 | 897 | 2 | 1 |
| FA Cup | 2 | 119 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 17 | 1016 | 2 | 2 |
From only 1016 minutes of action, this season, the Portuguese has managed to score two goals and collect two assists for his Championship-destined outfit, with Slot ready to get even more out of the Portuguese-born star if he were to swap the West Midlands for Merseyside in the summer.
After all, he could gift Liverpool a real livewire next season, to complement an already exciting attack.
How Mane could fit in at Liverpool
The 18-year-old could be just what Liverpool need, as they refresh their attacking options ahead of another gruelling Premier League season.
Even if Mohamed Salah was to stay, the silky Egyptian is far from being a spring chicken now at 33 years of age, with Mane acting as a useful impact player, potentially, with his youthful energy and exuberance.
Moreover, Mane’s versatility to line up as a number ten, a winger, a central midfielder, or even as a centre-forward this season for Wolves, will gift Slot a malleable presence he can slot into games when necessary, which would surely be music to the Dutchman’s ears, knowing the injury troubles he has had to put up with in recent times.
Mateus Mane: 2025/26 Premier League stats by position:
| Position | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Notable match |
| AM | 8 | 1 | 1 | vs West Ham (goal) |
| CM | 5 | 1 | 0 | vs Everton (goal) |
| FW | 2 | 0 | 0 | vs Manchester City |
| LW | 1 | 0 | 0 | vs Chelsea |
| Total | 16 | 2 | 1 |
The worry might well be that the Reds can’t afford any more notable blunders in the transfer department, having rashly coughed up £125m on Isak, but the Reds could win Mane for a cut-price fee if Wolves do suffer an expected relegation.
How Liverpool can benefit from Wolves relegation
It remains to be seen what this discounted fee would be, but Liverpool would surely be fools to pass up on an opportunity to win such a highly-rated attacker, if he were to become available for a more modest total.
It’s shaping up to be quite the summer for the 18-year-old, as a whole raft of Premier League clubs potentially circle for his services, with Liverpool hopeful they can win any tussle to come.
