Wolves starlet agrees first professional deal

The 17-year-old was one of 14 youngsters to sign a two-year full-time scholarship at Wolves last summer, but after making his first team breakthrough under Vitor Pereira last season, Mane is now set to sign his first professional deal.

It is understood the forward turned down interest from other Premier League clubs - while some European sides were monitoring him - in favour of staying at Wolves.

Mane has now agreed the deal and will sign the contract in due course.

The teenager made his senior Wolves debut on May 10 at Molineux against Brighton as a late substitute, making him the youngest ever player to make his Premier League debut for the club.

Following that first appearance, Pereira publicly backed Mane in a remarkable show of faith and insisted he will be with the first team next season, meaning he will start the campaign still aged 17 as his birthday is not until mid-September.

"I'm sure he'll be a surprise in England, in this league," Pereira said. 

"He's a player with talent and for sure next season he'll be in the first team with us.

"He's not only a talent, he's a worker, and in that moment of the game it was not just to give him the minutes, it was because I think he can do something because he's special."

Wolves have already brought in attacker Fer Lopez, while Mane can play across the front line.

The club are still in the market for more attacking reinforcements after the departure of Matheus Cunha to Manchester United in a £62.5million deal.

Mane is not expected to be a first team regular next season, but Pereira is prepared to give him more opportunities to shine.

The teenager was born in Portugal before moving to England and has represented both countries at youth level.

He emerged at Rochdale and came to Wolves in March last year, where he is now set to sign his first professional deal.