Newcastle Notebook: Magpies keep tabs on Wolves teenager that has blown scouts away
10:00, 11 Apr 2026
(Image: 2026 Pedro Porru/MB Media)
Newcastle United continue to keep tabs on Wolverhampton Wanderers teenage star Mateus Mane – but the rock bottom Premier League club are in a strong position in terms of his asking price.
As Chronicle Live reported on January 4, both Steve Nickson and youth scouting supremo Paul Midgley were spotted in the stands at Molineux for the 3-0 win over West Ham. Mane was checked out that afternoon and has remained on United’s watch-list.
He is believed to be a young star Newcastle like but the asking price and overall demand for the teenager is already high.
The aim for Newcastle now is to find young players who can make a more direct path into the first-team squad. Midgley is valued by United and was wanted by Man United over the festive period, but stayed on at Newcastle. Since then, it is believed that Midgley has moved up the ranks behind the scenes, and while there is a search for a new head scout in place, the new recruit will work underneath the ex-Man City talent spotter.
The Magpies see Midgley as a much more senior figure these days, with that search for a new international head scout at Academy a move that will enhance the recruitment department. It is believed that Midgley will oversee scouting at the youth level, with the club eager to discover both untapped talent and youngsters who have already proved they can do it on the big stage.
Mane has 26 appearances and two senior goals to his name this season, but is also being eyed by Man United, Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund. Nevertheless, he is the type of investment Newcastle are keen to make, although a fee of over £50m would be needed to sign him this summer, according to Wolves insiders.
With Wolves set to spend next season in the Championship, the sale of Mane seems on the cards, and Newcastle will do well to win the race for the signature of the Portugal U21 international.
However, with the likes of Liverpool and Man United believed to be unwilling to pay anything close to £50m for his services, there seems to be some negotiating to be done first. Whether future sell on fees or instalments can be agreed remains to be seen for the star who has a contract until 2029.
Newcastle have also been linked with Partizan Belgrade youngster Ognjen Ugrešić in recent days. The 19-year-old midfielder was described as being “in talks” with the Magpies last night, but those reports remain unconfirmed.
He would cost any interested clubs around £7m but has proved he can do it in the Serbian top-flight with 29 games, four goals and three assists to his name so far this season.
Newcastle winger Anthony Elanga was not awarded a penalty after a challenge from Barcelona defender Joao Cancelo(Image: 2026 Newcastle United)
Newcastle looking to fine-tune scouting department in search for dream wingers
The Magpies have struggled to make the most out of their wingers this season, with only a handful of Premier League assists from the likes of Anthony Elanga (1), Jacob Murphy (1) and Harvey Barnes (0) in the 2025/26 season.
As Newcastle move forward into the new summer window, they are advertising for a new positional scout to focus firmly on the needs of the team. Much has been made of Nick Woltemade’s form this season, but in truth, he has spent the second half of the campaign in midfield, and the first half of the season, he struggled for decent service.
Right from the moment Woltemade gestured he wanted the ball to his feet away to AFC Bournemouth during the 0-0 draw at the Vitality Stadium in August, it felt like there was trouble in the air, and so it has proved despite some ups and downs for the Germany international.
A new scouting positional analyst (wingers) is on the jobs board at Newcastle with the advert reading: “As a Positional Analyst, you’ll deliver detailed video and live analysis on players in key positions across assigned markets. Working closely with our Lead Video Analyst, data team and Head of Technical Scouting, you’ll build clear, objective evidence that supports recruitment strategy and future transfer planning.
“Your work will inform real decisions. Your detail will make a difference.”
And that lack of detail, using the Woltemade situation as an example, has been badly lacking this term.
Dates for the diary
With just seven games left of the Premier League season, preparations for the 2026/27 season are well under way.
The fixture list release date has been confirmed for the 2026/27 season has been confirmed as 10am on Friday 19 June 2026. The new season will kick off on August 22, 2026.
Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.
Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.
—
Here at ChronicleLive, we are dedicated to bringing you the best Newcastle United coverage and analysis.
Make sure you don’t miss out on the latest NUFC news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe. You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day’s biggest stories.
And, finally, if you would rather listen to our expert analysis then make sure to check out our Everything is Black and White podcast.