Chelsea add Wolves defender to shortlist of targets

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino will be looking to extend his impressive run against the Premier League’s biggest sides when they face Newcastle United on Saturday. 

The Blues are unbeaten so far against the ‘top six’, having drawn against Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City, as well as defeating Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 earlier this month.

The Magpies, who finished fourth last term, will provide another stern test for the West London outfit, however Eddie Howe will have a depleted squad to choose from due to a number of injuries.

In the meantime, it appears that the Blues are monitoring a Wolves defender.

According to 90min, the Blues have added full-back Rayan Ait-Nouri to their shortlist of defensive targets.

It is claimed that Chelsea are drawing up a list of targets with the future of left-back Ian Maatsen becoming increasingly uncertain.

Ait-Nouri has emerged as a target for Chelsea

Maatsen’s current contract was set to expire at the end of the current season, but it is now due to run until 2025 after the club triggered a 12-month extension clause.

It has been reported that Chelsea are aiming to agree a new long-term deal with the player, but it appears that they are also assessing potential targets.

Ait-Nouri, 22, joined Wolves from French side Angers in 2020, initially on loan, before making his move permanent the following year.

The Algeria international, who cost Wolves a reported £10 million two years ago, has made a total of 92 appearances for the club across all competitions.

Last season, the Algerian was largely left out of the first team by then-manager Julen Lopetegui and he was reportedly on the verge of joining Ligue 1 side Nice over the summer.

The move never materialised, though, and he has since reestablished himself as a regular at Molineux under new boss Gary O’Neil.

It is also claimed that Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies and Boca Juniors’ Valentin Barco are other targets for the club.