Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola wants to sign Rayan Ait-Nouri to fix the team’s left-back position. There is currently no agreement for the 23-year-old Algerian player, but sources believe the deal will go through.
Ait-Nouri is in Algeria’s squad for friendly matches against Rwanda on June 5 and Sweden on June 10. City needs to complete the transfer before June 10 for Ait-Nouri to play in the group stage of the Club World Cup.
City has not had a dedicated left-back since Benjamin Mendy left in August 2021. Players like Oleksandr Zinchenko, Joao Cancelo, and Josko Gvardiol have filled in for that role.
Last season, young player Nico O’Reilly also played as a left-back, including in the FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace. Guardiola hopes to address this need this summer, and Ait-Nouri from Wolves is his top choice.
Rayan Ait-Nouri is in his fifth season with Wolverhampton Wanderers (Wolves) and had his best performance under manager Gary O’Neil in 2023/24. He was initially signed on loan from Angers in 2020, scoring on his debut against Crystal Palace, which led to a permanent transfer.
