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
-
Auditor-General’s raises alarm over 2,000 weapon interceptions at airports
15 seconds -
Motorists lament years of faulty traffic lights at Poku Transport Junction
13 minutes -
Carabao Cup: The battle for Wembley begins
14 minutes -
I’m yet to receive any official communication from NPP – Prof Frimpong-Boateng
16 minutes -
FSRP, FarmMate tomato partnership yields 240 tonnes in Upper East
19 minutes -
Prof Frimpong-Boateng contributed to NPP’s downfall – Haruna Mohammed
26 minutes -
Joy FM’s ‘Drive Time’ listeners raise GH¢12,000 to save listener from eviction
30 minutes -
AFCON 2026: Egypt eyes revenge against Senegal as host Morocco faces Nigeria test
30 minutes -
Domelevo advocates for Public Office Holders Conduct Bill to curb corruption
34 minutes -
Frimpong–Boateng’s remarks damaging to party unity – NPP General Secretary
54 minutes -
JUSAG declares strike on January 19 over unpaid salary arrears
2 hours -
Anderlecht and QPR join race for Jalal Abdullai after impressive Molde loan spell
2 hours -
I am confident there won’t be a rerun in Kpandai—Haruna Mohammed
2 hours -
NPP should’ve invited Prof Frimpong-Boateng for a chat over ‘fake party’ comment – Nyaho-Tamakloe
2 hours -
Ghana Publishing Company in strong financial shape after 10 months – Managing Director
2 hours
