Liverpool are now leading the way to sign a Premier League defender who will switch clubs this summer, having just enjoyed a strong season.
Up until now, Arne Slot’s transfer plans at Liverpool have been fairly well hidden, it hasn’t been obvious where the Dutchman would be keen to strengthen.
Many do believe that a new centre-back will be recruited, a contingency plan for Virgil van Dijk possibly leaving the club in a year’s time.
Of course, Joel Matip needs replacing too, and Ibrahima Konate’s form towards the end of the season was less than inspiring.
Aside from signing a central defender, Liverpool are also thought to be alert to the possibility of adding a new winger to Slot’s squad.
At Feyenoord, Slot’s wingers were arguably the most crucial members of his side, leaned upon for their creativity.
And perhaps that makes reports of Liverpool being in ‘pole position’ to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers full-back Rayan Ait-Nouri particularly interesting.
Rayan Ait-Nouri will leave Wolves this summer and Liverpool are in ‘pole position’
Although not naturally a winger, Ait-Nouri often played in a front three for Gary O’Neil last season, demonstrating his rich attacking credentials.
And seemingly impressed by those performances, journalist Abel Hamed, who is close with Ait Nouri, has just claimed that Liverpool are now front-runners to sign the defender.
Hamed has shared that the Algerian will leave Wolves this summer, and that Slot’s side are in ‘pole position’ to sign him.
He shared: “Rayan Ait Nouri will leave Wolves, the left-sided Algerian is notably tracked by Chelsea, City and Liverpool.
“For the moment Liverpool are in pole position for the player.”
And to add credibility to that information, Hamed did recently sit down with Ait-Nouri for a 30 minute interview, discussing the defender’s time at Wolves and choice to play for Algeria.
It’s been previously reported that Wolves would demand upwards of £50m for their left-sided talent, who has become increasingly crucial to their project.
But if a slightly lower fee can be negotiated, perhaps a move could really make sense for Liverpool, given Ait-Nouri could provide competition for Andy Robertson at the back, as well as being an option at left-wing.
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