Liverpool, Manchester City and Barcelona are reportedly monitoring Wolves left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri, who has had an impressive campaign so far.
According to a report from the Daily Mail, Wolves left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri has emerged as a transfer target for some of the biggest clubs in the world, with the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Barcelona interested.
Having spent his formative years at various clubs in France, Ait-Nouri graduated to senior football at SCO Angers and made 23 first-team appearances for the club, bagging four assists. The 20-year-old moved to England in the summer of 2020, with Wolves signing him on a season-long loan deal.
And the 20-year-old made a solid enough impression, prompting the Black Country outfit to sign him permanently earlier this year in a deal worth £10 million. Even though Ait-Nouri started the season as a backup to Marcal, the youngster has usurped the starting spot on the left side of the defence in Bruno Lage’s side after a string of impressive displays.
His performances have now led to interest from several clubs with Liverpool, Manchester City, and Barcelona believed to be keeping tabs on the French Under-21 international. Liverpool’s interest in Ait-Nouri comes off as a bit puzzling considering that they have one of the best left-backs in the Premier League in Andrew Robertson.
Kostas Tsimikas did not make the best of impressions in his debut campaign last time out but has done well each time he has been called upon this term. With two solid options already available at Jurgen Klopp’s disposal, a move for Ait-Nouri looks extremely unlikely, at least in the immediate future.
However, Manchester City could most certainly make do with a player of his qualities as they are bereft of options in the squad when it comes to natural left-backs. Benjamin Mendy has been suspended by the club and is unlikely to play for the Cityzens again, while Oleksandr Zinchenko is not a natural in the position and has been linked with a possible January exit as well.
Pep Guardiola has constantly opted to use Joao Cancelo at left-back despite the Portuguese being a right-back. And even though the former Juventus star has enjoyed tremendous success, it makes sense for City to bring in a natural player for the position. It has led to links with Arsenal’s Nuno Tavares, while Ait-Nouri has also emerged as a target.
As for Barcelona, their first-choice left-back, Jordi Alba, is in the final phase of his career and will soon need to be moved on. Having sold Junior Firpo in the summer, the Catalans have no cover for the Spaniard in the senior squad and have turned to B team youngster Alejandro Balde at times. But a player with more experience like Ait-Nouri could come in as a handy acquisition for the Blaugrana.
Apart from Liverpool, City and Barcelona, both Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur are also monitoring Ait-Nouri, while there is also interest from Newcastle United and Crystal Palace. So, it will be interesting to see if any of these clubs can lure him away from Wolves, who remain intent on holding on to the French Under-21 international.
