After news of Matheus Cunha’s departure, Wolverhampton Wanderers are now bracing themselves for interest from Manchester City in Rayan Ait-Nouri.
Unfortunately for Vitor Pereira, it seems as if more than one key component of his impressive Wolves team from last season will be removed.
Rayan Ait-Nouri was brilliant under Gary O’Neil and the Algeria international then continued to thrive under Pereira’s watch.
Therefore, it’s not a surprise that Man City want to sign Ait-Nouri, even if it is disappointing from a Wolves perspective.
And whilst nothing has been agreed between the two clubs, it could now be time for Wolves to start searching for a replacement.
Wolves should replace Rayan Ait-Nouri with Djed Spence
As a result, Wolves should actually consider a move for Tottenham Hotspur wing-back Djed Spence.
Tottenham signed Spence for £20m in 2022, a player who has had a turbulent time in north London.
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images
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Spence seriously struggled to impress Antonio Conte, and it initially looked like things wouldn’t improve too much under Ange Postecoglou this season either.
However, Spence has been ‘incredible’ for Spurs — words from his teammate Destiny Udogie, who does remain Tottenham’s first choice left-back.
And perhaps that’s where Wolves’ opportunity derives from.
Over the course of the 2024/25 season, it became clear that Spence was actually enjoying more success as a left-sided full-back, running into central channels.
And given that Spence is still not first choice at Tottenham despite his strong season, there could be an opportunity for Wolves to swoop in.
Wolves should alter their recruitment strategy this summer
Of course, Wolves are also in need of a Cunha replacement in the coming weeks and months.
And given how cheap Liverpool are selling Caoimhin Kelleher to Brentford, Wolves should try a bid for Harvey Elliott.
Signing Elliott and Spence to replace Cunha and Ait-Nouri wouldn’t be easy, but it would be a real sign of ambition from Wolves.
Both players might take some convincing in regards to Wolves’ long-term ambitions, but they are certainly the level of player who Pereira will want to bring in.
Wolves haven’t often recruited from inside the Premier League, but in order to potentially replace two of their star players, it might be time to make a start.