Audio By Carbonatix
Manchester City have signed Wolves left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri for £31m.
The 24-year-old Algerian defender has signed a contract until 2030 and is available for the group stage of the Club World Cup.
City begin their campaign in the newly expanded tournament against Moroccan club Wydad AC on 18 June.
Algeria international Ait-Nouri joined Wolves in a £14.9m deal from Angers in 2021, having spent the previous season on loan at Molineux, and made 41 appearances in all competitions last term as the club avoided relegation, scoring five goals and adding seven assists.
He is Wolves' second high-profile departure of the summer, with Manchester United having agreed to sign Brazil striker Matheus Cunha for £62.5m.
City have already agreed a £46.3m deal to sign AC Milan's Netherlands midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, adding to the £200m spent in the January transfer window.
Ait-Nouri said: "City is one of the biggest clubs in the world and the chance to play for the club is a dream come true.
"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."
City are also in talks to sign English goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli from Chelsea.
The 33-year-old has been the third choice at Stamford Bridge for the past four seasons, and City will aim to complete a deal before Tuesday's transfer deadline.
Earlier, City announced veteran goalkeeper Scott Carson will leave the club when his contract expires this summer.
Analysis - Ait-Nouri a 'perfect fit' for Pep's possession style
Former Wolves coach Edu Rubio, who worked with Ait-Nouri during the 2022-23 season
His technical competency, his ability and skill in tight areas - keeping the ball close to his feet - give him the opportunity to fit perfectly into Guardiola's possession-based play.
He can also dribble with speed, to get the team up the pitch driving with the ball, which is probably what Manchester City need right now - players who can break lines.
Defensively he has improved his game since his arrival to the Premier League and his one-v-one defending is of a very good standard. He can cope physically and is a very versatile player who can operate in any position down the flank, or by playing as an inverted full-back.
He needs to improve his decision-making on the ball - he can take one touch too many at times and slow the ball speed down in a possession game that Guardiola loves. He also needs to work on his end product in attack.
At a club like City he will need to get his assist ratio higher, but it is something he can definitely do.
Latest Stories
-
MTN Ghana hands over hampers to 25 newly born ‘bronya’ babies at Cape Coast Hospital
32 minutes -
Kwanpa Band thrills patrons as Joy FM Family Party in the Park
49 minutes -
Lawyer arraigned over alleged GH¢800k excavator fraud
1 hour -
U.S. Commerce flags Ghana’s new mining policy, port delays affecting American firms
1 hour -
This Saturday on Newsfile: Constitution review report and AG’s ORAL drive
1 hour -
Joy FM Party in the Park kicks off as patrons flock in amid growing excitement
2 hours -
Ghana, 2 others to see strong absolute growth in electricity consumption – Fitch Solutions
2 hours -
Return to bond market on gradual basis – IMF to government
2 hours -
Activist Felicity Nelson brings Christmas comfort to Accra Police cells
3 hours -
Obuasi Bitters Luv FM Nite with the Stars thrills Kumasi on Christmas Day
3 hours -
4 banks including one state bank remain severely undercapitalised – IMF
3 hours -
Police arrest 28-year-old with 98 parcels of suspected cannabis in Tamale
3 hours -
Does Goldbod owe BoG US$214m, or has BoG lost US$214m? A policy and financial risk analysis
5 hours -
US Congressman says airstrikes first step to ending killings in Nigeria
6 hours -
Afenyo-Markin urges NPP to move from talk to action after 2024 election loss
6 hours
