Thomas Tuchel seems to have found a new understudy to Ben Chilwell, with Chelsea reportedly joining the race for Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Rayan Ait-Nouri. The 21-year-old has emerged as a target for the Blues amid growing uncertainty regarding the future of Marcos Alonso.
The France youth international enjoyed an impressive season at Wolves, featuring 27 times for Bruno Lage's side as he continued his development. Ait-Nouri, who sees his contract at Molineux expire in 2026, has grown into one of the Premier League's hottest prospects of late.
He initially signed for the Wanderers on loan from French side Angers in 2020 before Wolves made the move permanent for around £10million last summer. Ait-Nouri, who is said to have been tagged with a £25million asking price, has earned his stripes at left wing-back, proving a constant threat with his slalom runs and tenacity to get forward.
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Ait-Nouri has impressed so much so that some of Europe's biggest clubs are reportedly monitoring his situation. And, fresh reports claim that Chelsea are now looking at the Frenchman as a potential replacement for Alonso, who looks set to return to Spain after falling out of favour under Tuchel.
As aforementioned, it's believed that offers in the region of £25million will be considered by Wolves. Though, it must be said that Lage's side wouldn't be entitled to all of that fee, with Angers understood to hold a 50 per cent sell-on clause on Ait-Nouri, according to the BirminghamMail.
The report adds that Wolves do, however, have an agreement with the French side which allows them to buy out the sell-on clause should they wish to - the fee to do so is currently unknown. But, with the likes of Chelsea circling the defender and Ait-Nouri tipped to become a 'top player', the Wanderers may be inclined to trigger the option.
Should the west Londoners complete a deal that brings the defender to Stamford Bridge, Tuchel has been told exactly how the Frenchman can become a 'top player'. Speaking in November last year, Lage said: "We are happy with him. The quality he has, not just now but also for the past, the way he plays in an offensive way.
"We talk with him, and we work with him, if he's more consistent and if he wins more defensive duels, he can be a top player," the Portuguese boss added. "So Rayan, he knows, now he has the chance – he needs to take it, but I want more from him, and I want more during 90 minutes."
