‘A real possibility’ – In-demand Wolves loanee could replace £50m regular in 2025/26

Wolves fans are bracing themselves for player exits again this summer.

Of course, it remains to be seen which division Wolves will be in. But it has been the same story for the last few years with big-name players leaving.

 

Most people are expecting Matheus Cunha to depart given his reasonable release clause of £62.5 million.

Nelson Semedo could also leave, as could Pablo Sarabia.

But there’s also likely going to be more talk about the future of Rayan Ait-Nouri, who will have been at the club for five years by the time the summer rolls around.

But Wolves do have someone potentially waiting in the wings to replace him in Hugo Bueno, and Molineux News has caught up with transfer expert Graeme Bailey to get the latest on the Spaniard.

Hugo Bueno may replace Rayan Ait-Nouri in the Wolves first-team next season

Ahead of 2024/25, Bueno completed a loan move to Feyenoord, in a bid to ensure he’d be playing regularly this term.

He didn’t feature too much last season with Ait-Nouri the clear favourite for Gary O’Neil.

 

So he headed out, and Bueno has enjoyed a really productive spell over in the Netherlands so far, making 22 appearances for the club.

He’s supplied four assists so far and has caught the eye at left-back back, to the point where there are now several clubs looking at him ahead of the summer.

But given the uncertainty over Ait-Nouri, some have wondered about the potential for him to return to Wolves and replace the Algerian.

 

Molineux News spoke with transfer expert Graeme Bailey to find out what the situation is at the moment.

Bailey tells us: “Hugo Bueno, really interesting. There’s nothing definitive on that but he is doing really well at Feyenoord. I think that it’s a distinct possibility [that Bueno becomes a starter at Wolves].

“Ait-Nouri, the timeframe seems right for him to go and so I think it’s an ideal proposition for Bueno to come back. I think the player would be happy if he’s getting first-team Premier League football, I don’t think there’s an issue with it. I think there’s a real chance that he will come back.

“There’s other clubs seeing what Bueno has done this season but from what I’m told there’s a real possibility [he will stay at Wolves].

“Wolves aren’t saying that Ait-Nouri is definitely going to go but there’s a real chance he does. They’re definitely having conversations about Bueno, if Ait-Nouri stays, that’s a different conversation but I think he’ll be back from what I’m hearing.”

How much Wolves value Rayan Ait-Nouri

Wolves are clearly quite pleased with how Bueno is getting on, and it would be great to see him come back to Molineux and play a part next season.

But interest is mounting in him, and he will be expecting to be a regular starter next season, given the campaign he is currently having.

What happens with him really could hinge on what happens with Ait-Nouri.

Ait-Nouri is wanted by Manchester United and several others, and it will be very interesting to see how much he does go for if Wolves are ready to sell.

It was claimed last month Wolves valued Ait-Nouri in the region of £46.5-£50 million.

That would make him one of the biggest sales in Wolves’ history, which is indicative of his brilliant rise at Molineux.

 

 

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