Wolves were recently linked with a player who has just been relegated, but pundit Ally McCoist believes he was ‘different class’ in 2023/24.
Wolves fans are preparing themselves for a big summer and are hoping that Gary O’Neil gets a good level of backing from Fosun.
The situation is different this time around; Wanderers don’t have financial difficulties, having sold a number of stars last year.
There isn’t the same pressure, although it is expected that the club could still offload one of two big names in order to help prompt a rebuild. Pedro Neto and Rayan Ait-Nouri are the two players who have had the most inches in the gossip columns.
Ait-Nouri leaving would be disappointing, but every player has a price. Fosun could well try to cash in on the Algerian.
And if that happens, Wolves may move for Alfie Doughty of Luton Town, who is a player Ally McCoist seriously rates…
Ally McCoist lauds ‘different class’ Luton star Alfie Doughty amid Wolves transfer links
It was reported over the weekend that Wolves and West Ham have joined Crystal Palace in the race to sign the 24-year-old.
Doughty made 43 appearances across all competitions in 2023/24, and was one of the Hatters’ standout players alongside the likes of Ross Barkley and Elijah Adebayo.
Doughty scored three goals and made eight assists for Luton, and can be very pleased with the level he showed in his first-ever season in the top-flight.
This morning on talkSPORT, Doughty came up in conversation between Jeff Stelling and Ally McCoist, with the pair really impressed with the English wing-back and believing he was one of the surprise packages in the Premier League.
Stelling said: “Surprise package of the season. I have got one. I love watching him play. Stoke City couldn’t get the best out of him, but then again, they don’t get the best out of many players, do they? I am talking about Alfie Doughty at Luton. What a season he has had!
McCoist added: “I think he has been fabulous, I really do. Alfie Doughty has been the surprise package. He has been different class. I don’t think anybody would have seen that coming.”
Doughty could be a solid Rayan Ait-Nouri replacement
First and foremost, Wolves should absolutely not be selling Ait-Nouri this summer. The 22-year-old is on an exciting trajectory at the moment, and his market value could sky-rocket in the next year.
But if Fosun do happen to cash in on the Algerian, then Doughty wouldn’t be a bad replacement.
He has stood out in 2023/24 for Luton, showing real creativity on that left side for the Hatters.
It would just make sense for Wolves; Doughty has spent most of his time playing as a left wing-back for Luton, and obviously Wolves deployed a system that used ing-backs throughout 2023/24.
The only question would be if Gary O’Neil intends to switch to a back four, as Doughty has not really played as a traditional left-back for some time.