Chelsea and Man City Race to Sign Mateus Mane as Offers Lined Up

Chelsea and Manchester City are locked in a fierce transfer battle to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers' breakout star Mateus Mane, the 18-year-old forward whose contract at Molineux runs until 2029. Despite Wolves' hopes of securing his long-term future amid his impressive Premier League form, both clubs have offers prepared as the January window heats up.[1][2][3]

Mane has emerged as a sensation in Wolves' struggling 2025-26 season, injecting positivity and becoming their youngest-ever Premier League goalscorer at 18 years and 109 days. In a pivotal 3-0 win over West Ham—their first victory after 19 barren games—he starred by assisting Jhon Arias' opener, winning a penalty for Hwang Hee-chan, and drilling home the third with a sublime touch. Manager Rob Edwards hailed his "galvanising impact" and "fearless" attitude, noting it has lifted the squad, club, and supporters.[4]

Interest extends beyond the headline duo. Newcastle United have been scouting Mane regularly in recent months, monitoring the youngster closely as he impresses.[1][2] Chelsea's pursuit aligns with their strategy of snapping up young talents, even amid managerial turmoil: Enzo Maresca's 18-month tenure ended after winning the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup, but inconsistency persists. They drew 1-1 at Man City without a manager, with Enzo Fernandez's late equalizer salvaging a point. Liam Rosenior is reportedly set to take over from their sister club Strasbourg.[5]

Wolves view Mane's rise as a beacon of hope, with recent praise likened to a young Alan Shearer. However, his form has alerted top clubs, and with offers lined up, a bidding war looms. Edwards emphasized team focus: "The lads can feel that... We just crack on and keep working hard."[4] Transfer expert insights suggest Chelsea and City lead the race, but Newcastle lurks.[3]

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