Following the news of Liverpool seeking to snatch Pedro Neto from Arsenal’s clutches in the coming transfer window, Algerian defender, Rayan Aït-Nouri is also being touted as another player of interest to both sides.
Wolverhampton Wanderers are set to lose two key players this summer thanks to pressure from title chasers Arsenal and Liverpool. The Molineux outfit currently sit in 11th on the Premier League log thanks to individual quality pulling through when tactics falter.
Among the players to have earned recognition for their work with Wolves is the veteran youngster Neto and wingback Aït-Nouri. Both are garnering garnering interest from a number of clubs.
However, both Arsenal and Liverpool are looking to capture both players in the summer. This will lead to a transfer war which is sure to put pressure on Wolves to let one or both players go.
22-year-old Aït-Nouri is currently in Ivory Coast on international duty with the Algeria national football team for the Africa Cup of Nations. He is being seen as a alternative to – and possible replacement for – Oleksandr Zinchenko down the left flank for Arsenal. His 97 appearances for Wolves since 2020 is a testament to his growing ability.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are carefully looking for covers for Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Both fullbacks still have a lot of years in them but it appears the Reds want to start planning earlier.
Robertson is currently out injured and his deputy, Kostas Tsimikas, has performed well in his place. The Greek international, however, has always been seen as having one leg out of the club thanks to his playing time and his quality which makes him worthy of constantly starting games.
Aït-Nouri would replace Tsimikas as Robertson’s deputy, according to sources at the club. His transfer fee is unknown as Wolves have no intention of letting him go anytime soon.
He is valued at €28 million by Transfermarkt and this makes him a cheap option for both Arsenal and Liverpool.
With both clubs fighting for two Wolves players, they may reach a compromise to each go for one. Whatever happens, the pressure is on the Molineux outfit to hold on to their key players when the summer transfer window comes round.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are revealed to have beaten Barcelona to Martin Zubimendi.
The Spaniard has been a long-term target of the Catalans who have been trying for three seasons to find a Sergio Busquets replacement.
Since the exit of the veteran midfielder, they have struggled to find a good-enough pivot. Their chase of Zubimendi has been tough with the player opting to remain at Real Sociedad.
Now, it appears he is ready to leave the Basque country but his destination will not be Barcelona, but Arsenal, according to sources. This is according to Spanish transfer website Fichajes, who claims that Arteta’s Basque heritage convinced the midfielder to move to the Emirates.
