Premier League giants Manchester City have reached an agreement with Wolverhampton Wanders to secure the signature of Algeria international Rayan Ait-Nouri in the ongoing summer transfer window.
The 23-year-old left-back is becoming the latest signing of the Eithad Stadium outfit for the next season's campaign after an agreement over his transfer fee was reached by the two English clubs.
Pep Guardiola, who is currently active on the transfer market after unimpressive campaign, identified the former Angers SC full-back is a top transfer target to bolster his backline for the 2025-26 season.
Wolves had planned to offer Ait-Nouri a new contract after four impressive seasons in the Premier League, having joined after an initial loan spell from French club, Angers. His current contract was set to run out in the summer of 2027.
During his stay at the Molineux Stadium outfit, he made 157 appearances for Wolves and netted 12 goals in the process.
Ait-Nouri is scheduled to leave Algeria national team camp on Friday to undergo a mandatory medical examination to complete his sensational move to the one-time UEFA Champions League winners on Saturday June 7, 2025.
Manchester City had targeted Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White – and there was even talk of swap deal with Jack Grealish should Forest have qualified for the Champions League – but are now in negotiations to sign the far cheaper Rayan Cherki from Lyon, with the France Under-21 forward valued at £35 million. They have also bid around £50 million for AC Milan’s attacking midfielder Tijjani Reijnders.
Ait Nouri: Guardiola is a great coach
Wolves left-back Rayan Ait Nouri says Pep Guardiola is a great coach but would not comment on a possible move to Manchester City while on international duty with Algeria.
City want to sign Ait Nouri from Wolves, who want at least £50m for him, but there has been no club-to-club contact.
Ait Nouri is currently with Algeria who are playing Rwanda and Sweden in international friendlies.
Ahead of tonight's game against Rwanda, he was asked about City's interest and a potential move from Wolves.
He said: "No, for now I am concentrating on Algeria national team, the important thing is the two next matches, we will see how it goes, honestly, I do not know at all, we will see, the most important thing is the two matches which we played with the national team, I am concentrating on that, we will see.”
Asked about Guardiola, he added: “Yes, everyone knows that, he is a great coach, after that I said the most important thing is to concentrate on the national team."
