Liverpool transfers: Reds lead Man City and Chelsea in Rayan Ait-Nouri battle

Liverpool are in pole position to sign Wolves left back Rayan Ait-Nouri, who will LEAVE the club this summer. 

That’s according to Abdel Hamed, a journalist who has previously interviewed the Algeria international. 

He revealed that Chelsea and Manchester City are also ready to pay up for the 23-year-old, but it’s Liverpool who are currently favourites to land him. 

The Reds are also in the market for a left-sided centre back this summer with players like Levi Colwill, Riccardo Calafiori, Piero Hincapie and Goncalo Inacio all linked. 

Ait-Nouri has been impressive down the left side for Wolves and could provide cover as well as competition for first-choice left back Andy Robertson. 

It’s expected that Kostas Tsimikas will depart this summer with Barcelona among the names mentioned for the Greek defender’s signature. 

“Rayan Ait-Nouri will leave Wolves,” a post from Abdel Hamed read on X, formerly Twitter. 

“The left-back is notably tracked by Chelsea, City and Liverpool. At the moment Liverpool is in the pole position on the file.”

Liverpool fight City and Chelsea for Ait-Nouri

Liverpool were previously reported to be interested in adding Ait-Nouri to the squad but were ‘blocked’ by Wolves for a January deal with Robertson suffering a severely injury-disrupted campaign. 

French-born Ait-Nouri made 33 appearances for Wolves last season, scoring twice and adding one assist. 

He’s got four caps for Algeria having previously being a France under-age international. 

Ait-Nouri joined Wolves on an initial one-year loan deal from Angers back in 2020 with the Midlands side activating a purchase clause in 2021 for around £10 million. 

He is under contract until 2026 although it’s been reported the club have a one-year option to extend his terms. 

That means it would take a sizeable bid to dislodge Ait-Nouri with it previously reported that Wolves were looking for €60m to €70m for one of their prized assets. 

City’s interest is not new either with Pep Guardiola’s side linked with a swap deal involving Ait-Nouri and out-of-favour left back Sergio Gomez.