Andy Robertson recently joked that Liverpool has been linked to every left-back in the world. One such player to have featured in the transfer rumor mill is now also being targeted by Tottenham Hotspur.
Liverpool and Spurs have done battle in the transfer market numerous times before, perhaps most memorably when the Reds hijacked a carefully-planned deal for Luis Diaz. And it appears there is once again some overlap in the two sides’ shortlists.
That will be a bigger worry for Ange Postecoglou than Arne Slot, at least assuming the Australian remains in charge beyond the end of the season — Liverpool can expect to boast far greater pulling power, perhaps as the new Premier League champion. Spurs will not be able to offer European football at all, unless it can win the Europa League.
But all sorts of factors go into convincing a player to join, and Liverpool will therefore still be wary of Spurs interest. We are approaching the time when summer shortlists need to be pared down, and top targets decided upon.
Spurs seem ready to go hard in the pursuit of Rayan Ait-Nouri. AfricaFoot reports that the North London outfit has even gone as far as to prepare a $38m (£29m/€35m) proposal.
While Robertson was joking, it does indeed seem as though Liverpool is keen on a left-back. Milos Kerkez and Jorrel Hato have been linked the most recently, but Ait-Nouri’s name has also cropped up.
So if Liverpool rates the Wolves man high enough, it sounds as though it may need to get a move on to avoid being gazumped by Spurs. Postecoglou’s side has become the “most likely candidate” to complete the signing as things stand, although the Reds and West Ham are also mentioned.
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What would the Algerian bring to Anfield? His stock has probably dropped a little this season, with his performances becoming less consistent as Wolves’ overall form has suffered, but he still boasts a very interesting profile.
Ait-Nouri ranks in the 89th percentile of full-backs in Europe’s top five leagues for non-penalty goals over the past year. That’s no fluke: he is in the 90th percentile for expected goals. It’s worth noting that this includes a spell last season where the system almost made him like a number 10, but even in a more orthodox setup, he likes to venture forward and make a difference in the final third. He has three goals and five assists this season.
Meanwhile, Ait-Nouri is accomplished when it comes to taking on his man, and excellent in the tackle as well. He has a well-rounded profile, and looks primed to excel when placed into a better team. At just 23, he has plenty of time to improve his game as well. Though Wolves look safe from the drop now, there would still be parallels to when Liverpool picked up Robertson in the first place, having spotted his high potential.
In the current market, $38m looks like a snip, even if it’s not quite as good as the $10m paid for Robertson. So Liverpool might want to think about repeating the Diaz move and gatecrashing Spurs’ plans.
