Manchester UnitedTeam·Manchester United has reportedly initiated moves to secure two players from Wolverhampton WanderersTeam·Wolverhampton Wanderers as the summer transfer window opens. Goalkeeper Sam JohnstonePlayer·Sam Johnstone and promising midfielder Mateus Mané are understood to be on United's radar, though their respective situations present differing challenges for the Old Trafford club.
For Sam JohnstonePlayer·Sam Johnstone, a return to his former club appears plausible. Manchester UnitedTeam·Manchester United is reportedly seeking an experienced reserve goalkeeper, and Johnstone, who spent time in United's youth setup, is said to be interested in a move back to the North West. Wolverhampton WanderersTeam·Wolverhampton Wanderers are reportedly open to facilitating his sale, likely for a modest fee, given he was not their primary choice in goal during the recent campaign. Any potential transfer for Johnstone would, however, necessitate Manchester UnitedTeam·Manchester United offloading current goalkeepers AndrePlayer·Andre Onana and Altay BayindirPlayer·Altay Bayindir to create space in the squad.
The pursuit of Mateus Mané presents a more complex scenario. The young midfielder enjoyed an encouraging breakthrough season for Wolves, making 26 league appearances and contributing five goals and assists despite the club's struggles. Manchester UnitedTeam·Manchester United views Mané as a versatile attacking talent, but Wolves manager Rob EdwardsCoach·Rob Edwards has firmly stated that Mané will not be departing the club this summer. The midfielder is under contract until 2029, and while Wolves' relegation to the EFL Championship might weaken their negotiating position, reports suggest a fee between £25 million and £30 million would be required to even consider a sale.
The contrasting fortunes of the two clubs underscore the dynamics of these potential transfers. Manchester UnitedTeam·Manchester United concluded the 2025/26 Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League season in 3rd place with 71 points, securing a coveted UEFA Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League spot for the upcoming campaign. Under head coach Michael Carrick, who took charge in January, the team demonstrated a significant upturn in form, winning 12 of their final 17 matches and accumulating 41 points in 19 games after January 1st, making them the league's best-performing side in that period. Manchester UnitedTeam·Manchester United CEO Omar Berrada has outlined a clear transfer strategy, aiming to blend experienced Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League talent with non-English based stars, a method that proved successful last summer with signings like Matheus CunhaPlayer·Matheus Cunha, Bryan MbeumoPlayer·Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin SeskoPlayer·Benjamin Sesko, all of whom achieved double-figure goal tallies.
Conversely, Wolverhampton WanderersTeam·Wolverhampton Wanderers endured a challenging 2025/26 season, finishing 20th in the Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League with a mere 19 points from 38 matches, resulting in their relegation to the EFL Championship. The club recorded a dismal start to the season, going 19 consecutive games without a win. Despite the team's overall performance, Mateus Mané's individual contributions were a rare bright spot. In a move to retain key talent for their Championship rebuild, Wolves recently secured midfielder André on a new four-year contract until 2030, with an option for a further year, signaling their intent to build around certain players.
As the transfer window progresses, Manchester UnitedTeam·Manchester United's strategic recruitment will be closely watched, particularly as they aim to strengthen for both domestic and European challenges. Wolves, meanwhile, face the task of balancing player retention with the financial realities of relegation, making the futures of players like Johnstone and Mané central to their immediate plans.
Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone warms up before a Premier League match. Pro Sports Images/IMAGO
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