Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has identified Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Rayan Ait-Nouri as his top priority to strengthen the left-back position this summer.
Since Benjamin Mendy’s departure in 2021, City have lacked a consistent presence in the role, with various players such as Oleksandr Zinchenko, Joao Cancelo, and Josko Gvardiol being deployed there without long-term success.
Most recently, academy graduate Nico O’Reilly filled the position during the closing stages of last season, including the FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace.
Guardiola is now eager to secure a more permanent solution, and 23-year-old Ait-Nouri appears to fit the bill.
While no formal agreement has been reached between City and Wolves, sources close to the negotiations are confident that a deal will be finalized.
Timing is crucial, as City aim to complete the transfer before 10 June, ensuring Ait-Nouri’s eligibility for the Club World Cup group stage.
Ait-Nouri, who has been called up for Algeria’s upcoming friendlies against Rwanda and Sweden, enjoyed a standout season in 2024-25. He was the most prolific Premier League defender in terms of goal contributions, racking up 11.
Additionally, only three defenders — Leif Davis, Pedro Porro, and Trent Alexander-Arnold — created more chances for teammates than the Algerian international, who tallied 46 key passes.
The Wolves defender also shone in one-on-one situations and was among the top dribblers in the league, second only to Aaron Wan-Bissaka among defenders.
His pace and tight ball control make him an attractive option for Guardiola, who often prefers full-backs that can contribute both defensively and in buildup play. Ait-Nouri led all defenders in regaining possession in the final third, highlighting his defensive instincts.
Former Wolves coach Edu Rubio, who worked with Ait-Nouri in the 2022-23 season, praised the player’s technical ability and versatility.
Rubio described him as a “perfect fit” for Guardiola’s possession-based system, citing his dribbling, physicality, and one-on-one defending.
However, Rubio noted that the player still needs to refine his decision-making and improve his assist numbers to meet the standards of a club like City.
If the transfer goes through, Ait-Nouri will bring a blend of attacking flair and defensive grit to the left flank—traits that Guardiola’s recent makeshift solutions lacked.
With City competing on multiple fronts, including the Club World Cup, a reliable and dynamic full-back could prove vital in their pursuit of silverware next season.
