Liverpool are plotting a major overhaul of their wing options in the summer transfer window.
Cody Gakpo has been out of form all season long on the left-hand side and Arne Slot has been reluctant to use Rio Ngumoha as a genuine starting option.
There are big alterations to be made on the right side too. Mohamed Salah has reached an agreement to rip up his £400k per week contract one year early and will depart at the end of the season.
Federico Chiesa is expected to join him on the exit ramp with Besiktas and teams in Serie A ready to launch a bid.
The focus for Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes will be on landing quick one-v-one specialists in the summer market.
Yan Diomande and Bradley Barcola are now listed among the favourites to arrive. But with Diomande available only for €100m and Barcola set to be offered a new contract by Paris Saint-Germain is makes sense for back-up options to be sourced.
Among those under consideration by decision-makers inside Anfield is Wolves’ Premier League breakout star Mateus Mane.
The 18-year-old has been a bright spot in an otherwise awful campaign for Wolves - who have been relegated to the Championship.
Rob Edwards is going to have to cash in on some of his blue-chip talents in order to fund a second tier-ready rebuild - with Portugal-born Mane now up for sale.
Previous reports suggest he would be available for around £40m to £50m - and according to a new report in Sports Boom it’s Liverpool and Manchester United leading the way for the explosive right-footed attacker.
“Liverpool and Manchester United remain favourites to land the Portugal Under-21 international if, as expected, Wolves cash in to hand Pereira’s successor Rob Edwards funds for a major rebuild following a damaging campaign,” the report reads.
It also adds that Vitor Pereira - now at Nottingham Forest - is keen to link up with a player he once coached at Molineux.
But it now looks apparent that Liverpool as well as Man Utd will be landing Mane this summer with Wolves set to cash in.
Under contract until 2029 having inked a renewal earlier this season Mane has scored two goals and provided two assists in the top flight. His potential however is immense - and he is versatile enough to play on the wings as well as in a central playmaking position.
This would be a very sensible transfer for Richard Hughes to get over the line.
