Manchester City have officially completed the signing of highly-rated Algerian left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolverhampton Wanderers, with the Premier League giants securing his services on a five-year contract. The announcement comes at a crucial time, with City preparing for their upcoming FIFA Club World Cup campaign in the United States later this month.
While the club has not released specific financial terms, multiple credible British outlets suggest that the reigning world champions have paid approximately £33.7 million ($45.69 million) for the 24-year-old defender. This marks one of City’s most significant early summer moves, as manager Pep Guardiola looks to revamp the squad following a challenging 2024–25 season in which the club finished third in the Premier League standings.
Ait-Nouri’s journey to the Etihad is one marked by steady progression and consistent performances. The former Angers full-back first arrived at Wolves in 2020 on a season-long loan, before making his stay at Molineux permanent in 2021 following a string of impressive displays. Over the course of five campaigns in the English top flight, Ait-Nouri racked up 157 appearances, finding the net 12 times and providing 19 assists—a testament to his attacking instincts and versatility in wide positions.
The Algerian international has been a standout performer for Wolves, renowned for his dribbling, pace, and tactical intelligence. His ability to transition from defense to attack has made him a key figure in various systems, and City are expected to utilize him in both traditional full-back and inverted wing-back roles depending on the opposition.
Wolverhampton, meanwhile, will feel the impact of this loss, especially coming so soon after the departure of another key asset—Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha, who completed a move to Manchester United earlier this month. The exit of two major players underlines the transition Wolves are undergoing and raises questions about how manager Gary O’Neil will restructure his squad ahead of the new campaign.
For Manchester City, the acquisition of Ait-Nouri serves multiple strategic purposes. It adds depth to their defensive line, addresses concerns about squad rotation during a congested fixture schedule, and demonstrates the club’s intent to remain highly competitive across all competitions. With João Cancelo having left the club and uncertainty lingering over other defensive options, Ait-Nouri could slot in immediately and play a pivotal role.
City’s immediate focus now turns to the FIFA Club World Cup, where they will represent Europe in a bid to claim another global title. The tournament kicks off for them on June 18 with a match against Wydad AC, followed by tough fixtures against Al-Ain and Juventus in Group G. Guardiola is expected to rotate heavily during this tournament, and Ait-Nouri could see early action as he integrates into the team.
The signing reflects City’s long-term planning and their ability to attract top-tier talent. As the summer transfer window unfolds, more moves are expected, but this deal firmly signals that City mean business—both domestically and on the world stage.
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