Wolverhampton Wanderers left-back Rayan Ait Nouri is attracting increasing interest ahead of the January transfer window.

What's the talk?

That's according to a report by French media outlet Jeunes Footeux (via Sport Witness), who claim that both Newcastle United and Crystal Palace are keeping a very close eye on the situation of the 20-year-old Wolves defender ahead of a potential move in the winter market.

The report goes on to state that an offer of somewhere in the region of €25-30m (£21-26m) would be required for Jeff Shi to consider the proposal, while Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira is believed to have already informed his transfer team at Selhurst Park that he wants to land the France U21 international.

Shi must avoid disaster with Ait Nouri

Considering the sheer amount of potential that Ait Nouri quite clearly possesses, it is undeniable that losing the services of the left-back just six months after signing the 20-year-old would be something of a disaster for Jeff Shi and Wolves, even if it is for a considerable profit.

Indeed, since being handed his first Premier League start of the season against Leeds United back in October, the £16.2m-rated man has been in extremely impressive form for Bruno Lage's side, registering one assist and creating one big chance for his teammates, as well as making an average 0.9 key passes and taking 0.8 shots per game.

The player who Liam Kenn dubbed a "superb" talent has also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, making an average of 0.6 interceptions, 3.9 tackles - the most of any player in the top flight - 0.9 clearances and winning a whopping 7.4 duels per game.

These returns have seen the £33k-per-week youngster average a SofaScore match rating of 6.97, ranking him as Wolves' eighth-best performer in the league so far this season.

Couple that with Jonny and Marcal's repeated injury problems and losing the man who Keen claimed "gets the crowd on their feet" in January would undoubtedly come as a major blow to Lage's hopes of securing European football at Molineux next season - both of which are outcomes that would leave fans of the club gutted.

In other news: "I think...": Journalist drops fresh Wolves transfer claim, Shi simply must act