Arsenal battle AC Milan to sign Premier League wing-back

Arsenal travel to Eindhoven to face PSV in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 clash on Tuesday night. 

The Gunners were held to a goalless draw by Nottingham Forest in their last outing on Wednesday, almost certainly putting an end to their Premier League title hopes.

Mikel Arteta’s side now sit 13 points behind runaway leaders Liverpool, having won just four of their last eight matches in the competition.

With Arsenal set to finish as Premier League runners-up for the third consecutive campaign, it appears that those in charge of the North London side’s recruitment are already looking ahead to this summer’s transfer window.

According to CaughtOffside, the Gunners are interested in Wolves star Rayan Ait-Nouri.

The Algeria international has been one of Wolves’ most impressive players so far this season, with the Molineux outfit embroiled in a relegation battle.

The 23-year-old joined Wolves on loan from French side Angers in 2020, before making the move permanent the following year.

Ait-Nouri could leave Wolves this summer

He has now played 145 times of the flu across all competitions, scoring 11 goals and providing 13 assists.

It is claimed that the Algerian has emerged as a target for Arsenal, who could face competition from Italian side AC Milan in the race to land the wing-back.

Current Milan left-back Theo Hernandez is said to be a top target for European champions Real Madrid, and the Serie A outfit could therefore move for Air-Nouri if the Frenchman does depart for the Spanish capital.

Ait-Nouri is capable of playing anywhere on the left flank, including as a wing-back or a winger.

The report suggests that the former Angers star could be available for a fee of around £50 million when the transfer window reopens this summer.

Ait-Nouri’s current contract with Wolves is set to run until the end of the 2025/26 campaign.