Ait-Nouri has impressed in the Premier League playing primarily as a wing-back with strong attacking qualities
Manchester City have agreed to sign Algeria international Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolverhampton Wanderers in a deal worth just under £33 million. The 23-year-old will sign a five-year contract with an option for an additional year.
Ait-Nouri was identified as City’s top target for the left-back position, an area where Guardiola lacked specialist options throughout the 2024-25 campaign, instead using central defender Josko Gvardiol or midfielder Nico O’Reilly in that role.
The Algerian impressed at Wolves last term, playing primarily as a left wing-back in a back five. He contributed 12 goals and assists across all competitions and completed 63 take-ons in the league, just four fewer than Crystal Palace’s standout midfielder Eberechi Eze.
Having joined Wolves from Angers on loan in 2020 before making the move permanent in 2021, Ait-Nouri has made 157 appearances for the club over five seasons. Wolves will now have to bolster their squad for next season having lost two of their key players in Ait-Nouri and Matheus Cunha. The club survived a relegation battle last season, finishing 16th above only Tottenham Hotspur and the three relegated teams. They will be keen to avoid the drop zone completely next season.
Ait-Nouri’s arrival at Manchester City comes as the club prepare for the revamped Club World Cup in the United States, starting on 14 June.
Rayan Ait-Nouri Can Solve Guardiola’s Left-Back Problem at Manchester City
One of Guardiola’s most pressing issues remains the left-back position. City played most of last season without a natural option there, either playing centre-back Josko Gvardiol or even midfielder Nico O’Reilly in that position.
After Gvardiol’s superb performance at centre back when he was moved back there for a period in the season, Guardiola admitted that “I like him there” and “him and Ruben [Dias] talk a lot and they are doing a really good partnership”.
