1 year ago
260 Liverpool have reportedly set their sights on Wolves left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri ahead of the January transfer window.
According to French outlet Le10 Sport, the Reds are one of several clubs – in England and also Europe – in pursuit of the Algeria international.
Indeed, Liverpool are said to be the Premier League club keenest on signing Ait-Nouri. He is apparently the subject of ‘regular and insistent contact’ from the Reds.
However, in an unsurprising blow to the Anfield outfit, Wolves are apparently not looking to sell Ait-Nouri and ‘have no intention to let him leave’.
The report suggests that his ‘exit will be blocked no matter what offer might arrive in the winter’ from Liverpool or anyone else.
‘He’s one you can improve’
Liverpool are currently short on options at left-back, with Andy Robertson on the sidelines until the New Year after suffering a dislocated shoulder.
Kostas Tsimikas has been getting more time in Robertson’s absence and he made amends for his Toulouse horror show with a solid display against Brentford.
However, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp may well look to bolster his left-back ranks further with ‘one of Europe’s most talented fullbacks’, as per Breaking the Lines.
Ait-Nouri joined Wolves permanently in 2021 for around £10million after his initial loan move from Ligue 1 side Angers.
The 22-year-old has been in and out of the team in recent seasons but has become Gary O’Neil’s first-choice left-back this term.
“Love Rayan,” the Wolves boss recently said on Sky Sports, via Molineux News.
“He’s mad, firstly, and you can see he’s mad in the way he plays. We’re trying to take some of that out of him. First job was trying to get him through 90 minutes. We’ve improved his fitness levels.
“But he’s one you can improve. I don’t think he’s done too much work in understanding the tactical side of the game.
“He’s a great one to work with. He’s fully committed to everything. There’s a lot of room for improvement with the raw talent he has, if we can just harness it a little bit.
“If we can give him a little bit of understanding and calm down some of the craziness, the sky’s the limit for Rayan.”
Great shout for Liverpool but January deal will be hard to do – TBR View
Ait-Nouri is a top talent who’s very clearly Premier League quality and looks like he has a great future ahead of him.
He’d be a good shout for Liverpool, although it’s not surprising to hear Wolves being so unwilling to sell him.
Let’s see whether the Reds firm up their interest in January. While a deal in the New Year will be hard to do, it’s not impossible. And if not, then they can potentially try again in summer.
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