Gary O’Neil should be shopping for a left back to rival Rayan Ait-Nouri this summer, or in the worst case, replace him.
The transfer window is on the horizon and Wolves have been in the thick of the transfer rumours.
Gary O’Neil is looking to secure deals for a new striker, namely Che Adams while adding quality out wide in the shape of Braga’s Rodrigo Gomes.
O’Neil’s priority is those two positions but the Wolves boss also needs a new left wing-back to challenge Rayan Ait-Nouri.
The Algerian has been linked with a move to Liverpool and Arsenal in recent months following a fantastic campaign at Molineux.
Ait-Nouri transformed into a machine at left wing-back and even flourished as an attacker when O’Neil suffered multiple injuries to his squad.
Wolves must keep the 22-year-old this summer while it’s equally important that they add cover in that area, and the Old Gold could take a gamble on a player who has struggled in recent times.
Gary O’Neil could sign Kieran Tierney to rival Rayan Ait-Nouri
Ait-Nouri impressed so much as an attack last term, that O’Neil may consider using him there more often and if he does, he’ll need to bring someone else in.
Wolves are already looking to raid Arsenal for striker Eddie Nketiah but he isn’t the only player he should be looking at, with one eye on left-back Kieran Tierney.
Mikel Arteta is looking to offload the 27-year-old this summer after enduring a difficult spell which has seen him fall down the pecking order completely at the Emirates, spending last season on loan at Real Sociedad.
Tierney made 20 appearances in La Liga and provided two assists, largely impressing as he was labelled “exquisite” for his performances.
At his best, the Scottish international is an exceptional attacking left-back, with Kris Boyd lauding him as “unbelievable” for his country while one of the greatest of all time, Ashley Cole, dubbed him a “warrior” for his club.
The reason for Tierney’s recent downfall at Arsenal is predominantly down to his injury struggles, although the competition for places hasn’t made his time any easier, and he could be on his way out of North London.
Arsenal previously slapped a £20 million price tag on him, though to get him off the books, they could lower that price drastically.
Gary O’Neil could revive Kieran Tierney’s career
When looking at the Wolves squad, O’Neil’s man management and tactical expertise have seen him transform several players, including Matheus Cunha, Joao Gomes and Toti Gomes.
If Tierney was to be the latest to join Molineux, he could work his magic on him too.
The powerful left-back wouldn’t be expected to dislodge Ait-Nouri, by all means, but Wolves felt the effects of not having quality reinforcements to call upon from the bench last term.
In some cases, O’Neil had to rely on teenagers to drag him out of a hole, whereas if he had the strength in depth, this wouldn’t have been a problem.
Most people who have watched Tierney’s rise from Celtic to Arsenal know he’s a very talented player when he’s injury-free, which would be the biggest risk with this transfer.
However, if O’Neil could get the best out of him, it could be one worth taking.