Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Algerian international Rayan Aït-Nouri from Wolverhampton Wanderers on a five-year contract. The 24-year-old joins the Premier League champions in a deal worth £31 million, becoming their first major signing of the summer.
Aït-Nouri brings with him valuable Premier League experience and is expected to bolster City’s left flank with his dynamic and attack-minded style, which fits seamlessly into Pep Guardiola’s high-intensity tactical setup.
The defender, who spent five years at Wolves after initially joining on loan from French side Angers, expressed his delight at joining the Etihad outfit.
“I am incredibly happy and honoured to have joined Manchester City,” Aït-Nouri said. “It’s a dream come true to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world. I’m excited to learn under Pep Guardiola and work alongside such world-class players.”
Having faced Manchester City eight times during his time at Wolves—managing just one win and seven defeats—the Algerian is now looking forward to being part of the squad he once competed against.
Aït-Nouri’s arrival also ends City’s long-standing search for a natural left-back, filling a void left since Benjamin Mendy last featured for the club nearly four years ago. The role has since been covered by the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko, João Cancelo, Nathan Aké, Josko Gvardiol, and recently, academy product Nico O’Reilly.
City are also reportedly closing in on the signing of Lyon’s 21-year-old attacker Rayan Cherki, in a deal believed to be worth around £34 million, while AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders is also expected to join soon. Aït-Nouri will be eligible to feature in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup later this month.
