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Man City “very confident” in deal for experienced Premier League left back
Man City are pursuing a move for Wolves left back Rayan Ait-Nouri, and are confident in completing a deal in time for the Club World Cup on June 15th. David Ornstein of The Athletic reported that while an agreement is not yet in place, all parties expect the move to happen soon with City hoping to register the player in time for their trip to the United States this summer.
The early transfer window opened on June 1st and is set to close on June 1oth, with clubs participating in the Club World Cup using the time to finalize their squads before the tournament’s June 15th kickoff. Ait-Nouri has now emerged as City’s top target in the left back position following an impressive stint at Wolves.
The Algeria international joined Wolves in 2020 originally on loan from French club Angers, before making the move permanent a year later. He’s gone on to produce 4 successive eye catching seasons, developing a reputation as one the Premier League’s best creative wing-backs. He’s scored five goals and added seven assists in 41 appearances in all competitions this season, the most (assists) of any Wolves player.
City pursuing Ait-Nouri
City have primarily used centre-half Josko Gvardiol at left-back with promising youngster Nico O-Reilly deputizing at times. O-Reilly himself is primarily a midfielder, so City’s need for a natural left back is apparent. Ait-Nouri fills that void with his creativity and adaptability.
He can play as a traditional wing-back running up and down the left flank and supplying crosses, or as an inverted left back which City boss Pep Guardiola is known to be fond of. The player is technically sound and good with both feet, popping in the middle of the pitch at times for Wolves and finding incisive passes.
City have arguably missed these attributes at left back since the departure of Joao Cancelo in 2023.
Fabrizio Romano reported that talks for Ait-Nouri are set to advance soon and that City are “very confident” in completing the deal.
Wolves will be reeling from the loss of another key first-team player to a Manchester club, as Matheus Cunha has completed his move to Manchester United. Ait-Nouri could now find himself embroiled in a Manchester derby with his former teammate should he complete a move to City.
