Manchester City are reportedly nearing the signing of Algerian left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolverhampton Wanderers in a deal valued at £31 million, including £5 million in performance-related add-ons. The 24-year-old defender is expected to undergo his medical examination this weekend, marking the final hurdle before the transfer is made official.
City are aiming to finalize the agreement by June 10 to ensure Ait-Nouri’s eligibility for the upcoming Club World Cup group stages. His arrival would address a persistent gap in City’s squad since Benjamin Mendy last played for the club in August 2021. Since then, Pep Guardiola has relied on a rotation of makeshift options at left-back, including Joao Cancelo, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and most recently Josko Gvardiol. Academy product Nico O’Reilly even featured in the role during the FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace.
Ait-Nouri has long been admired by Guardiola for his technical ability and attacking threat. After originally joining Wolves from French club Angers in 2020 on loan, he made the move permanent in 2021 for £14.9 million. In the 2023–24 season, Ait-Nouri emerged as one of the league’s standout full-backs, making 41 appearances, scoring five goals, and contributing seven assists as Wolves secured their Premier League status.
Statistically, Ait-Nouri outshined most of his Premier League counterparts. He led all defenders with 11 goal involvements and ranked fourth in chances created (46), behind only Leif Davis, Pedro Porro, and Trent Alexander-Arnold. His dribbling skills were second only to Aaron Wan-Bissaka, with 63 successful take-ons.
What truly sets Ait-Nouri apart is his combination of defensive solidity and attacking flair—qualities Guardiola highly values. Not only did he contribute offensively, but he also excelled at regaining possession. By the end of the campaign, Ait-Nouri had won the ball back in the final third more times than any other defender in the league, demonstrating his dual-threat capability.
With this signing, Manchester City appear set to finally secure a long-term solution to their left-back dilemma. Ait-Nouri’s blend of flair, intelligence, and defensive discipline could make him an indispensable asset in Guardiola’s evolving system.