Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Algerian left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolverhampton Wanderers for a reported fee of £31 million ($42 million). The 24-year-old has signed a five-year deal and will be available for selection at the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, which kicks off later this week.
The player is expected to be the first of three new additions to Pep Guardiola’s squad ahead of the tournament, with City also nearing agreements for AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders and Lyon playmaker Rayan Cherki.
Following a rare trophyless campaign for Pep Guardiola since the 2016/17 season, City are undergoing a major squad overhaul in hopes of reclaiming their dominance. The Premier League giants already spent over £172 million in the January transfer window, bringing in Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis, and Nico Gonzalez.
At the Club World Cup, City will face Moroccan champions Wydad AC and UAE’s Al Ain before a high-profile group stage encounter against Juventus on June 14.
“Joining one of the biggest clubs in the world is a dream come true,” Ait-Nouri said in a statement released by the club. “I’m thrilled to work under Pep Guardiola and train alongside some of the best players in the game.”
Ait-Nouri spent five seasons at Wolves, initially joining on loan from French club Angers before securing a permanent move in 2021 for £14.9 million. He becomes City’s first natural left-back since Benjamin Mendy, with several players including Oleksandr Zinchenko, Joao Cancelo, Nathan Ake, Josko Gvardiol, and Nico O’Reilly having filled the position in recent years.
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