Journalist Nathan Judah has suggested it might be worth Wolves splashing out the money required to bring in defender Rayan Ait-Nouri.
The 19-year-old joined the club on a season-long loan in the summer transfer window, but the club does have the option of bringing him in on a permanent deal for £20m if they choose to. The Frenchman has been used sporadically this season whilst regular left-back Jonny Otto recovers from an ACL injury.
And speaking on the latest edition of the E&S Wolves podcast, Judah believed that with Jonny Castro Otto expected to be first-choice again next season, whether or not it would still be worth forking out the money for someone who would essentially be his backup:
He said: “Maybe you need two quality players per position, maybe that’s what you do need, maybe that’s what Wolves have lacked if they are going to go forward – strength in depth – with the amount of games, the amount of fixtures, maybe £22.5m for a 19-year-old kid who’s got a great future, has got a big sell-on value, maybe that is the right move.”
Would you pay the £20m for Ait-Nouri?
No
Yes
TIF Thoughts on Judah’s comments…
Judah raises an interesting point about strength in depth, as it’s something that Wolves are well aware of this season.
After the injury to Raul Jimenez has led to some discussion about them signing someone to pick up the load in his place with Wolves not exactly scoring by the shedload since the Mexican went down. So if this season is anything to go by, the idea of having a suitable backup has pretty much been rammed home.
And if Wolves think that Ait-Nouri isn’t that far off Otto in terms of ability, so much so that they don’t skip that much of a beat without him, then £20m to have that position tied down is perhaps a price that is worth paying.