Manchester City has completed the signing of Algerian left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolves for a reported £31 million! The 24-year-old has inked a five-year deal, keeping him at the Etihad until 2030, and is immediately available for selection in the upcoming Club World Cup.
Ait-Nouri's Journey to the Etihad
Ait-Nouri's move to City marks a significant step in his career. He initially joined Wolves on loan from Angers in 2020 before making the move permanent in 2021 for £14.9 million. During his time at Molineux, he made a notable impact, contributing both defensively and offensively with 12 goals and 19 assists in 157 appearances.
His performances caught the eye of Pep Guardiola, who sees him as a perfect fit for City's possession-based style of play. Former Wolves coach Edu Rubio highlighted Ait-Nouri's technical skills, dribbling ability, and improved defensive game as key factors making him a valuable addition to the City squad.
City's Squad Revamp
Ait-Nouri's arrival is part of a larger squad overhaul at Manchester City following a season where they missed out on major silverware. The club has also been linked with moves for AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders and Lyon playmaker Rayan Cherki, signaling their intent to strengthen across the board.
Ait-Nouri's Excitement
“City are one of the biggest clubs in the world and the chance to play for the club is a dream come true,” said Ait-Nouri. “I am excited about working with and learning from Pep Guardiola and his coaching team and getting to train and play alongside such a world class group of players.”
Implications for the Club World Cup
Ait-Nouri's timely arrival means he's eligible to feature in City's Club World Cup campaign, where they'll face Wydad AC and Al Ain in the group stage. His presence provides much-needed reinforcement at left-back, a position that has been a challenge for Guardiola to fill consistently in recent years.