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‘Top target’ – Wolves could be offered intriguing swap as PL rivals eye mighty £51m transfer raid
Wolverhampton Wanderers Face Challenge to Retain Key Players Amid January Transfer Window
With just a couple of weeks left in the January transfer window, the market is expected to heat up as clubs scramble to secure deals before the February 3rd Deadline Day. As fixture congestion and injuries take their toll, Premier League teams are eyeing reinforcements to bolster their squads for the remainder of the 2024/25 season.
So far, Wolves have had a relatively quiet window, making just one signing: central defender Emmanuel Agbadou, who joined for around £16.6m earlier this month. The only player departures have been youngsters Fletcher Holman and Jimmy Storer, who both moved on loan to Solihull Moors and Chester, respectively.
However, speculation surrounding the futures of several first-team players continues, with left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri now the latest to be linked with a move away from Molineux. According to a new report from Caught Offside, Manchester United have set their sights on the 23-year-old, whose impressive performances have caught the eye of clubs in the Premier League and beyond. The report suggests United have shifted their focus to Ait-Nouri after abandoning their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain’s Nuno Mendes.
How Much Could Wolves Sell Ait-Nouri For?
Wolves are reportedly reluctant to let Ait-Nouri leave this month, especially as they are currently engaged in a tense relegation battle with the likes of Ipswich Town, Everton, and Leicester City. To even consider parting with the defender, Wolves would reportedly require an offer of £51m—a sum that would see them make a £40m profit on his 2021 transfer fee.
In an interesting twist, the report suggests that United may attempt to lower the transfer fee by offering either Tyrell Malacia or Luke Shaw as part of a player-plus-cash deal.
Ait-Nouri’s contract runs until the summer of 2026, meaning his resale value will gradually decrease over the next 18 months.
Other Potential Moves at Wolves
As for other outgoing business, Wolves are facing growing interest in star forward Matheus Cunha. The 25-year-old, who was suspended following his involvement in a post-match altercation with Ipswich Town players, has attracted interest from top Premier League clubs, including Arsenal and Manchester City. With City closing in on a high-profile move for Frankfurt’s Omar Marmoush, Arsenal may be in pole position to secure Cunha’s signature.
Regarding potential arrivals, Wolves were reportedly close to finalizing a £10m deal for Vitoria midfielder Manu Silva, known for his tough tackling and defensive prowess. However, Silva now looks set to join Benfica after the Portuguese club swooped in to hijack Wolves’ move.
Other players linked with a move to Molineux this month include Chelsea defender Renato Veiga—who now seems more likely to join Borussia Dortmund—and Galatasaray striker Kelechi Iheanacho, who has previously played for Leicester City and Manchester City.
