Talks held: Liverpool make first move to sign £50m Man Utd target from Premier League rivals

Manchester United have fallen behind in the race to sign rising Wolves star Mateus Mané with Premier League rivals Liverpool reportedly holding talks over a deal ahead of the summer.

Wolves are facing relegation to the Championship, as they sit on nine points after 26 games and are 18 points from safety. It is more a matter of when rather than if they will be relegated.

It could mean the likes of Mane are bound for an exit from the club with some top Premier League sides monitoring the player’s progress.

According to Fichajes in Spain, Liverpool have held talks to sign the player with Wolves set to put a £50m price tag on the 18-year-old. The Reds are ready for a bidding war to sign him as the report adds that United are closely monitored his progress.

If they feel the £50m deal is feasible, they will make a move.

In the last summer transfer window, United turned to experienced Premier League operators to ensure they could be more successful in the transfer market. They spent big fees on Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, with both players settling in quickly at Old Trafford and already looking like they will live up to their respective transfer fees.

Mane is not experienced in the Premier League having only turned 18 back in September but he has impressed with two goals and two assists in 15 games.

United’s summer business is likely to be determined by where they finish in the Premier League. They are currently in fourth position, three ahead of Liverpool in sixth with the top five spots likely set to result in Champions League qualification.