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A significant transfer update involving Wolves, Spurs and West Ham.
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Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly lodged a first official bid to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri.
Ange Postecoglou is seemingly keen to get going with his transfer business several months before the next window even opens. Spurs, 14th in the Premier League and on track for their worst finish since 2004, are down in the dumps and need a significant lift.
Activity in the transfer market could provide a much-needed boost as Postecoglou aims to plug gaps, with left-back being eyed as a priority position to improve. Ait-Nouri, an option understood to be on Liverpool’s shortlist to replace Andrew Robertson, appears to be a serious option.
In fact, Spurs have already submitted their first offer for Ait-Nouri if a groundbreaking report from Africafoot is to be believed. The African publication claims Spurs are the “most likely candidates” to sign Ait-Nouri and have proceeded with a bid worth €35 million (£29.3m).
Africafoot claims West Ham United also hold a strong interest in the left wing-back and could make an approach of their own in the not-too-distant future. Premier League champions-elect Liverpool, meanwhile, are mentioned in a similar light.
Wolves won’t let Ait-Nouri leave easily
Ait-Nouri, signed from Angers SCO for around £9.5 million in 2021, has racked up 148 appearances, 11 goals and 13 assists for Wolves. The 23-year-old took two or so years to properly adapt to English football but he’s been excellent since the start of 2023.
The 13-time Algeria international has been in particularly impressive form this season, with three goals and five assists in 28 Premier League matches so far. It’s been by far Ait-Nouri’s most productive campaign in front of goal, aided partly by former manager Gary O’Neil’s occasional switch to a back three and new boss Vitor Pereira’s permanent shift to that formation.
It awaits to be seen just how much Wolves would demand to sell Ait-Nouri. If Spurs’ bid is true and the fee is accurate, it’d be tempting to cash in for a profit of over £20 million. The wider picture must be considered, however, with a like-for-like replacement difficult to find, especially in the current market.
Not only has Ait-Nouri proven himself as one of the best left wing-backs in the Premier League, but it’s a position notoriously tricky to source talent in. The former Angers man also fits into Pereira’s system like a glove as the new manager demands strong technical attributes - alongside great stamina - to get involved in both boxes.
It’s important Wolves get this call right as the summer transfer window will be pivotal ahead of next season. The winter signings of Emmanuel Agbadou, Marshall Munetsi and Nasser Djiga were significant but the summer acts as Pereira’s first opportunity to make a proper mark on the squad.
Matheus Cunha could leave when his £62.5 million release clause becomes active in July, too, so that’s another factor to consider. Selling not just one player but two could have an irreversible impact. At least those decisions don’t need to be made just yet.