DEPARTURE NEWS: Wolves are facing a tough battle to maintain their “attacking” hero as cash-rich club makes him a major target.

Wolves are facing a tough battle to maintain their “attacking” hero as cash-rich club makes him a major target.

Fosun and Gary O’Neil could be forced to cash in on one of their first-team stars in January.

Wolverhampton Wanderers could lose one of its top players next year, according to a new source, who claims he’s surfaced as a major target for an admirer in January.

Wolves allowed 11 players to leave Molineux.

Over the summer, the Old Gold sanctioned the permanent sale of 11 stars, with some of the biggest names to leave for good including Ruben Neves, Matheus Nunes, and Raul Jimenez, but they aren’t the only ones who could be leaving soon.

Along with Tommy Doyle, who could return to Manchester City after his loan, Bruno Jordao’s contract will expire at the end of the season (Wolves contracts), so if he does not agree to new terms, he appears ready to leave.

Rayan Ait-Nouri arrived from Angers in 2021, and he’s established himself as a regular feature under Gary O’Neil, having started 12 of the first 13 games of the new Premier League season (WhoScored – Ait-Nouri statistics).

The Algerian left-back has thus recently attracted major interest from Liverpool and Chelsea, but according to the latest update, the 22-year-old has now surfaced as a target for a high-profile team overseas, notably in Ligue 1.

PSG is planning a move for Rayan Ait-Nouri.

According to Sports Zone, Paris Saint-Germain is interested in Ait-Nouri and has identified him as a top target for the January transfer window.

“Rayan Ait-Nouri is Luis Campos’ first choice at left back in the winter transfer window.” Jorge Mendes, for one, refused. The agent is looking for long-term playing time assurances.”

O’Neil needs to keep “attacking” star Ait-Nouri

Being a left-back, Ait-Nouri is naturally stronger in the defensive aspect of his game, which he’s proven so far this season by making 30 tackles, which is more than any of his fellow teammates (FBRef – Wolves statistics), showing what a standout performer he is.

However, Montreuil’s native can also contribute at the other end of the field, having made 12 contributions, eight assists, and four goals in 93 appearances for the club (Transfermarkt – Ait-Nouri statistics), demonstrating his desire to burst down the flank and dribble past his marker to create chances.

O’Neil’s £10k-per-week salary (Wolves salaries) allows him to operate in his usual role, higher up in midfield, and even out wide on the flank as a winger, making him a really useful option for the manager to have in the building given the cover he can provide in positions other than his own.

According to journalist Josh Bunting, Ait-Nouri is a “attacking” player, and losing him would be a significant setback, so it’s critical that leaders do everything they can to fight off interest and keep his services beyond the approaching January transfer window.