Transfer Centre

Chelsea ready to join race for Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Rayan Ait-Nouri?

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 14 June 2022

Chelsea allegedly become the latest club to identify Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Rayan Ait-Nouri as a potential transfer target.

Chelsea are reportedly contemplating whether to make an approach for Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Rayan Ait-Nouri.

Despite the takeover of the club having officially been completed since the end of last month, Chelsea are yet to make their first addition of the summer transfer window.

Head coach Thomas Tuchel already needs to replace Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, the central-defensive pair having departed as free agents.

However, Chelsea also face potential issues in the wing-back areas with Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso both being linked with transfers to Barcelona.

If the latter leaves Stamford Bridge, the Premier League giants may only be left with Ben Chilwell - who spent over half of last season on the sidelines with a serious knee injury - as an option on the left-hand side.

Ben Chilwell in action for Chelsea in October 2021 © Reuters

According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea may attempt to rectify the potential situation by launching a bid for Ait-Nouri.

The 21-year-old has spent the last two seasons playing Premier League football with Wolves, a total of 36 starts and eight substitute appearances being made for the West Midlands side.

Such was Ait-Nouri's progression during his opening year that Wolves agreed to pay £9.8m to turn the Angers player's loan switch into a permanent move.

Despite the low financial outlay, Wolves agreed that Angers would receive 50% of any future transfer fee, something which will be taken into account if and when they cash in on the France Under-21 international.

As it stands, that is unlikely to be this summer with Marcal having already left Molineux on a free transfer, but that will not stop Wolves receiving widespread interest for one of their young stars.

Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Rayan Ait-Nouri playing against Liverpool in November 2021. © Reuters

Earlier this month, it was claimed that Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is also an admirer of Ait-Nouri at a time when the Premier League champions will strengthen at left-back.

With Benjamin Mendy suspended by the club until further notice and Oleksandr Zinchenko attracting interest from elsewhere, Guardiola wants more competition for Joao Cancelo.

Ait-Nouri has also been courted by Paris Saint-Germain in the past, the Ligue 1 champions having identified the player as a potential future star during his early days at Angers.

Wolves remain in a strong position to fend off any interest, Ait-Nouri's contract not due to expire until the end of the 2025-26 campaign.