EPL title chasers primed for another battle for Wolves star with transfer clause
Manchester City will face competition from title rivals Liverpool and Arsenal when they step up their interest in £50million-rated Wolves defender Rayan Ait-Nouri.
Pep Guardiola believes the France-born Algerian international will be a perfect addition to his team after being asked by Molineux boss Gary O’Neil to operate as an inverted left-back this season. Ait-Nouri has been one of Wolves’ stand-out performers this season with a natural instinct to attack. But the 22-year-old has also piqued interest from both Anfield and the Emirates.
Wolves will have to hand 50 percent of any fee to Ait-Nouri’s former club Angers as part of an agreement brokered when he arrived from the French outfit for £10million in 2021. But the Midlands club also have an option to buy-out the sell-on clause early.
Guardiola has been using centre-backs and midfielders as auxiliary left-backs in recent seasons. The role is currently being filled by Croatian central defender Josko Gvardiol, who has been outstanding for the defending champions in recent weeks.
But Guardiola is looking to bring the powerful 22-year-old into his favourite role next season. And that will see the Blues crank up their efforts to take Ait-Nouri to the Etihad.
Liverpool have had injury issues at left-back this season but would view Ait-Nouri as gifted competition for first-choice Andy Robertson, while Arsenal have used Oleksandr Zinchenko, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jakub Kiwior at left-back this season.
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