JUST IN: Kudos to Gary O’neil as “Underrated” star now in best form and already outdoing departing Neto so far this Season Amid best Transfer deal sealed by Wolves.
**Wolves’ Player Sales Impacting Progress as Ait-Nouri Emerges as Next Potential Departure**
Wolverhampton Wanderers have seen several key players leave the club over the past two summer transfer windows. While these sales brought significant profits, they have undoubtedly disrupted the team’s development under former managers and current boss Gary O’Neil. Despite their recent back-to-back Premier League victories, the departures continue to cast a shadow over the club’s ambitions.
### High-Profile Departures
In 2023, Wolves bid farewell to Portuguese midfielders Ruben Neves and Matheus Nunes, both vital players in their setup. This past summer, captain Max Kilman also left, weakening the defense significantly. However, the most impactful loss has arguably been Pedro Neto.
### Pedro Neto’s Wolves Legacy
Despite an injury-hit career at Molineux, Neto left an indelible mark on Wolves. Signed from Lazio for £14.1 million in 2019, the Portuguese winger delivered consistently when fit. Across 135 appearances, he scored 14 goals and provided 24 assists.
His standout season came in 2023/24, with two goals and nine assists in just 20 games. Unfortunately, Neto’s time was marred by injuries, including a knee issue that sidelined him for nearly a year.
Neto’s resilience earned him a £54 million transfer to Chelsea, where he has continued to impress with three goals and three assists in 15 appearances. Wolves have struggled to replace his creativity and attacking flair this season.
### Rayan Ait-Nouri: The Next Big Sale?
Amid Wolves’ struggles, Rayan Ait-Nouri has been a shining light. The 23-year-old wing-back has built on his impressive past performances, contributing three goals and two assists in 12 Premier League matches this season. His attacking and defensive stats place him among the most dynamic left-backs in Europe.
Ait-Nouri’s style and output invite comparisons to AC Milan’s Theo Hernandez. Statistically, the two are similar, with Ait-Nouri averaging 1.08 key passes and 3.24 progressive passes per game compared to Hernandez’s 1.62 and 4.73. Defensively, Ait-Nouri holds his own, recording 3.24 tackles and interceptions and 4.61 ball recoveries per game, rivaling Hernandez’s 2.43 and 4.86.
### Potential Valuation and Implications
Given these comparisons, Ait-Nouri’s market value could mirror Hernandez’s £50 million valuation, with Wolves reportedly seeking £60 million for the Algerian international.
Losing Ait-Nouri would be another significant blow for Wolves, who are already reeling from the exits of several key players in recent years. Holding onto their number three will be critical for O’Neil’s side as they aim to stabilize and progress.