Mateus Mane to leave Wolves? Fresh prediction issued | OneFootball

Wolverhampton Wanderers will want to retain Mateus Mane ahead of the 2026/27 Championship season

Wolverhampton Wanderers will struggle to retain some of their best players following their relegation from the Premier League to the Championship.

Rob Edwards' side are set to embark on their first second-tier campaign since 2017/18, and are therefore facing a vital summer in the transfer market.

The Molineux club finished rock-bottom of the Premier League table, having earned just three wins in 38 attempts.

Promotion is the aim for Wolves next season, though, but they will face strong competition in the second tier, including from fellow relegated clubs West Ham United and Burnley.

Wolves given fresh Mateus Mane future verdict as summer transfer window looms

Amid Wanderers' struggles in the Premier League, 18-year-old Mateus Mane was somewhat of a shining light, notching three goals and one assist in 27 top-flight appearances.

The Portugal Under-21 international particularly impressed when he scored in successive fixtures against West Ham and Everton in January.

He went on to score when Edwards' men drew 1-1 with Fulham in their penultimate game of the Premier League campaign.

Following Mane's displays in the top flight, Football League World asked our Wolves fan pundit, Thomas Woodhall, if he fears his club could lose the teenager this summer.

Thomas told FLW: "I have a really unpopular opinion surrounding Mateus Mane. I think when he came in, he was unbelievable for maybe five games.

"I think, obviously, just like the rest of the team, his form just dipped. I think if he kept up that (form) from the first game right up to the last, if he'd have shown that level, I think we wouldn't even be having a conversation (about) whether he's staying or going.

"I think he'd be gone. I think the conversation is definitely there. It shows that, obviously, he's still very raw. He's still inexperienced. He still needs more time.

"I think he'll do another season with us and maybe more. Next season, if he's absolutely world-class, as world-class as you can get in the Championship, I suppose I think he'll leave.

"But if he settles in to be a good player, a reasonably good player, I think we can see him stay for a bit longer. But the ceiling's high with him, I don't think there's much chance we'll lose him this summer. I really don't.

"I think he'll stay. But if not, he'll go to a Premier League side, and he'll barely get any game time. I guess it's up to the player, really, but I think he'll stay."

Mateus Mane is best served by staying with Wolves

As Thomas alluded to, Mane could establish himself as one of the best players in the Championship, or he could simply become a reasonable cog in the machine for Wolves.

He has shown glimpses that he has bags of potential, having troubled the likes of Fulham in the Premier League.

According to a report from Football Insider in March, Wolves want £50million for Mane this summer, which is beyond the amount Liverpool or Manchester United are willing to pay.

If either the Anfield club or the Old Trafford side do agree terms with Wanderers for the teenager, though, he would be better off staying at Molineux.

As Thomas summarised, Mane is set for plenty of game time in the Championship, but his minutes would be very limited at either Liverpool or Man United.