Manchester City has secured the signing of Algerian left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolverhampton Wanderers in a £31 million deal, marking the first major move in their post-season squad rebuild. The 24-year-old, who signed a five-year contract, is set to debut at the FIFA Club World Cup in the U.S. this week.
Ait-Nouri’s arrival addresses a long-standing gap in City’s defense, as the club has lacked a specialist left-back since Benjamin Mendy’s departure in 2020. Manager Pep Guardiola’s tactical flexibility has previously relied on midfielders and center-backs to fill the role, but Ait-Nouri’s pace and defensive acumen are expected to bring stability.
Sources close to the club suggest two more signings—AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders and Lyon’s Rayan Cherki—are nearing completion, with Cherki’s €40 million transfer reportedly finalized by Tuesday. These moves follow a £172 million January spending spree on emerging talents, signaling City’s intent to reclaim dominance after a rare trophyless season.
"Joining City is a dream," Ait-Nouri said in a statement. "Learning from Pep and competing alongside world-class players will elevate my game." The defender, who spent five years at Wolves, will face Wydad AC (Morocco) and Al Ain (UAE) in the group stage before a potential showdown with Juventus.
With the Club World Cup kicking off June 14, City’s revamped squad aims to deliver immediate silverware while laying the groundwork for future campaigns. Analysts note the strategic focus on youth, with Cherki (21) and Reijnders (25) aligning with Guardiola’s vision for sustained success.
