Wolves fans will be watching what happens with Rayan Ait-Nouri this summer like a hawk.
The Algerian has enjoyed another great season with Wolves, and will enter the next transfer window highly coveted.
Rayan Ait-Nouri currently has 11 goal contributions this term, which is more than any other defender in the Premier League.
He has massively stepped up in recent weeks, with pundit Troy Deeney recently suggesting Ait-Nouri may be playing for a move away from Wolves.
Undoubtedly, there is a real chance he could move on this summer.
But Wolves are set to offer Ait-Nouri a new contract, so there is hope yet that he might stick around. His close friend Joao Gomes put pen to paper at Wolves earlier this year, so it’s not out of the question he could stay.
But there’ll certainly be speculation and there is no doubt Ait-Nouri is coveted – and journalist Liam Keen has pointed to one rather underrated thing about the player that clubs are bound to appreciate.
Wolves star Rayan Ait-Nouri has a pristine injury record
For all of Ait-Nouri’s brilliance when it comes to attacking play, and contributing in the final third, Ait-Nouri is a very durable player – a bit like former Molineux skipper Max Kilman.
Keen said on the latest E&S podcast: “Similar to Max Kilman, he’s hardly ever, or never, injured. And that is a major, major plus.
“For a buying club as well as a selling club. That plays in his favour. He’s 23 years old. The numbers he’s been able to add with goals and assists overall for the season have actually been pretty good for a defender. that will look club for a buying and selling club perspective.
“All of this combined I think makes him a very sellable asset.”
Since Ait-Nouri signed for Wolves, he has made 154 appearances, which equates to just over 30 games per season so far.
That is impressive when you consider Ait-Nouri plays quite a demanding position. A wing-back is required to bomb up and down, to support the attack and get back and defend.
It’s a lot of running, and the potential for muscular injuries is perhaps greater than for players in other positions.
Hope yet for Wolves that Ait-Nouri will stay
There are so many things to like about Ait-Nouri for buying clubs.
His pristine injury record is certainly another draw with him, but there is still some hope that Wolves will keep the player.
Of course, it’s now been reported that Wolves do plan to offer him a contract extension.
It has been clear in recent weeks that Vitor Pereira loves what he brings to the table, and seemingly he sees the player as central to his plans for next season.
Ait-Nouri has previously spoken of his happiness over being at Wolves. He talked up being at the club last summer, and he again said he was happy back in February of this year.
So fans would like to hope there’s a reasonable chance he won’t leave the club this summer, despite the heavy interest from other clubs.