Manchester City officially confirmed the signing of Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolves on Monday.
It was a sad day for Wolves supporters, who have spent five years watching the dazzling Algerian and now he’s earned his chance at Manchester City.
Ait-Nouri sent a parting message to Wolves fans on Instagram after confirming his arrival at the Etihad, with supporters wishing the 24-year-old well in response.
The hardest part for Vitor Pereira will now be replacing his fleet-footed wing-back. Ait-Nouri recorded the most goal involvements of any defender in the Premier League last term, and alongside losing Matheus Cunha to Manchester United, the Wanderers’ left side has been decimated.
Wolves have been linked to Gerard Martin as a replacement, while Clement Bischoff is on Pereira’s radar, but Dave Edwards thinks there’s someone at the club who can fill the void superbly.
- READ MORE: Matheus Cunha and Wolves stars send messages to Rayan Ait-Nouri after Man City move is confirmed
Dave Edwards thinks Hugo Bueno can replace Rayan Ait-Nouri
Wolves have received £33.7 million for Ait-Nouri, which was a fee many felt was far too low in today’s market. But as his contract at Molineux expired next summer, it was impossible to stand in his way.
Now the search for a replacement is on, and Molineux News revealed in February that Hugo Bueno is seen as a successor to Ait-Nouri after starring on loan at Feyenoord.
The 22-year-old was immense during their Champions League campaign, and former midfielder Edwards feels the Spaniard has what it takes to start at wing-back.
“Hugo Bueno is coming back and a couple years ago he was level pegging with Ait-Nouri and it was a flip of a coin on who was going to start,” Edwards said via the E&S.
“They both offer different skills but both are very good on the ball and I hope Bueno can stay injury free and take his chance because he could be an excellent option.
“I’m more worried about what’s going to happen on the right side of defence if Semedo does leave, like we anticipate he will do, because I don’t think we’ve got a ready-made replacement there.
“I hope that Hugo Bueno can come in and do a job on the left. We don’t necessarily need to then go into the market and really splash out on a left-sided player, but we’ll see what happens and the recruitment team will have their plan.
“I’m sure we’ll see a player coming in for that position, but I’d be interested to see whether it’s back up or whether it’s someone to start.”
Wolves need to find a goalscoring wing-back
Robin van Persie wants to keep Bueno at Feyenoord after his productive campaign in the Eredivisie.
The youngster showcased his incredible crossing ability, whipping balls into the box for strikers to get onto the end of, something that will encourage Jorgen Strand Larsen at Wolves.
| Hugo Bueno’s 2024/25 stats for Feyenoord (Eredivisie) |
| 20 appearances |
| 0 goals |
| 3 assists |
| 4 big chances created |
| 89% accurate passes |
But for all his technical class in wide areas, Bueno can’t replace Ait-Nouri’s goalscoring threat down the left, as they’re both completely different players.
Ait-Nouri amassed five goals and seven assists from wing-back in all competitions, telling of his ability to find space in the opposition box and finish chances.
If Wolves want their threat to continue, an attacking wing-back is essential to complement Bueno’s pinpoint crossing.