Liverpool’s pursuit of Wolves left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri seems to be gaining traction, according to local journalist David Lynch. The Algerian reporter Abdel Hamed initially sparked the rumors by claiming that Ait-Nouri was likely to leave Wolves this summer, with Liverpool being the frontrunners for his signature.
Hamed also mentioned that Ait-Nouri expressed a desire to be coached by Jurgen Klopp, and the recent appointment of Arne Slot as Wolves’ manager wouldn’t impact his decision. Despite interest from Chelsea and Manchester City, Ait-Nouri was reportedly swayed by an “unclear project” at Stamford Bridge and the perceived lack of freedom under Pep Guardiola at City.
Algerian outlet La Gazette du Fennec supported these claims and stated that Wolves would demand a fee of at least €40 million (£33.9m) for the 23-year-old. It was also reported that Ait-Nouri has a release clause of €45 million (£38.2m).
The speculation surrounding Ait-Nouri’s potential move to Liverpool gains further credibility due to the strong relationship between the club and his agency, Gestifute, which is headed by Jorge Mendes. Several players represented by Gestifute, including Diogo Jota and Fabinho, have already joined Liverpool in recent years.
However, Lynch also pointed out that Liverpool would likely need to sell a player before making a move for Ait-Nouri, given their cautious approach to squad management. Kostas Tsimikas, who currently serves as Andy Robertson’s backup, is seen as a potential candidate for departure. Lynch emphasized that any transfer activity would depend on Tsimikas finding a new club.
In conclusion, while Liverpool’s pursuit of Rayan Ait-Nouri appears to have substance, the club will need to navigate their squad dynamics and potential departures before making any moves in the transfer market. The strong ties between Liverpool and Ait-Nouri’s agency, along with the player’s reported desire to work under Jurgen Klopp, suggest that this transfer could materialize in the coming months.