Rayan Ait-Nouri already dropped hint over future as Liverpool 'leads' Man City in transfer race

Liverpool is reportedly leading the race to sign Rayan Ait-Nouri this summer, although the Wolves star may not be in a rush to make a move.

According to journalist Abdel Hamed, Ait-Nouri is set to leave Molineux this summer, with Liverpool leading Chelsea and Manchester City for his signature. It has been suggested (via Anfield Watch) that the Algeria international could cost as much as $75m (£59m/€70m).

Ait-Nouri is under contract at Wolves until 2026, having made 38 appearances across all competitions during the 2023/24 campaign. The Reds have been linked with him previously, with French outlet Le10sport claiming at the end of 2023 that the 23-year-old was attracting interest from Anfield.

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With suggestions that Liverpool will be open to offers for Kostas Tsimikas this summer (Daily Mail), Arne Slot and Richard Hughes could be on the lookout for another option at left-back. Ait-Nouri though hasn’t given any indication that he is looking for a move though.

The defender gave an interview to Wolves’ club media just last week in which he declared he was content at Molinuex. “I’m very happy with a very good season,” he said.

“We won a lot of important games with the new manager, and me and my teammates are very happy, and hopefully they will be the same next season.

“The previous season [2022/23] was a little bit hard for me, but I have a lot of confidence and I knew what I could do on the pitch, and this season I was able to show that.

“It was a very good season for me, and for everyone. For sure, I’m very happy here.”

Liverpool.com says: Ait-Nouri could be a good option as a long-term replacement for Andy Robertson at left-back. He certainly feels like a player who will be making a step up if not this summer, then very soon. The price quoted for him though is very steep, and it’s hard to imagine Liverpool splashing out that kind of money for a position that isn’t necessarily a priority.