Wolves are now facing the unenviable task of replacing Rayan Ait-Nouri – but Robin van Persie made some comments recently to suggest Hugo Bueno is up to the job.
Ait-Nouri has left Molineux after five years at the club.
There was always a possibility for him to depart, but his exit has left Wolves fans gutted – especially since he did not leave for as much money as most people thought he would.
City paid around £36 million in total for Ait-Nouri, but Wolves spent £9.5 million removing the 50% Angers sell-on clause.
Wolves now need to replace the Algerian.
Clement Bischoff is on Wolves’ radar after impressing at Brondby.
But Molineux News understands Hugo Bueno is a genuine option to succeed Ait-Nouri as the long-term left wing-back.
And Robin van Persie’s recent verdict will potentially really encourage Vitor Pereira.
Robin van Persie hails Hugo Bueno’s mindset as Wolves consider him to succeed Rayan Ait-Nouri
Photo by Jack Thomas - WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
Photo by Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
Bueno spent the 2024/25 season on loan at Feyenoord, and it was a productive spell for the Spaniard.
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The hope was that Bueno would play regularly, having struggled for minutes in 2023/24 with Gary O’Neil preferring Ait-Nouri.
And Bueno did play regularly, making 30 appearances across all competitions.
Wolves have just released a new video featuring Bueno, with members of the club’s media team recently flying out to catch up with Bueno.
And included in the video is van Persie delivering a promising verdict on Bueno.
The Dutch legend said: “I think Hugo is developing really well. He has really good intensity in everything he does.
“He gives absolutely 100% every single training session, every single game.
“He is one of those players who is always in my mind. Like OK, I know that I can count on him. He just always gives 100% and he has a really good drive forward – he can be important in our attacking way of playing, and of course the defensive part is really good.
“It’s like he breathes football and he just wants to improve and that, from a coach’s point of view, really nice to work with. When you have that mindset, it is really easy to work with a player. It is, for me, a must. Every player should have that kind of mindset, to improve and to become better and never be satisfied. He’s one of those players.”
Pereira should entrust Bueno
Bueno surely has to be well in contention to succeed Ait-Nouri.
He has already clocked up 43 Premier League appearances for Wolves, and has now gone away and played in the Eredivisie and Champions League.
Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images
Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images
He has enough experience to be playing for Wolves, and this verdict from van Persie strongly suggests he is absolutely the kind of player Pereira loves.
Bueno loves Wolves and views the club like a home, and he is said to be desperate to play for the club regularly.
Hopefully we do get to see that next season, and the Ait-Nouri money can be invested into other positions.