Rayan Aït-Nouri Set to Join Manchester City After Completing Medical

Manchester City are close to signing Rayan Aït-Nouri from Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Algerian left-back is set to sign his contract on Sunday after passing his medical on Saturday.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Manchester City and Wolves have agreed on a deal for Rayan Aït-Nouri. The transfer fee is reportedly close to £33 million (€40 million). The 23-year-old completed his medical over the weekend and is expected to finalize his contract with City on Sunday.

Aït-Nouri had just one year left on his Wolves contract and had turned down offers to extend his stay at Molineux. This prompted the move. He is seen as a key addition to City’s defense, which has relied heavily on Josko Gvardiol at left-back, even though Gvardiol is mainly a central defender.

This signing addresses City’s long-standing need for a natural left-sided full-back, a position the club has been keen to strengthen for several transfer windows.

AIT-NOURI’S SEASON AND TEAM IMPACT

Aït-Nouri was a standout for Wolves during the 2024/25 Premier League season, impressing with his performances up and down the left flank. His ability to push forward and contribute to the attack, as well as track back defensively, made him one of the most promising young full-backs in the league.

Wolves will feel his departure acutely, especially after already losing striker Matheus Cunha to Manchester United. City, meanwhile, finished the season as Premier League runners-up, narrowly behind Arsenal, and have been looking to bolster their squad as they aim to reclaim the title next year.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR MAN CITY AND AIT-NOURI?

With Aït-Nouri expected to officially sign on Sunday, City will integrate him into preseason training ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. He is likely to compete with Gvardiol and young talent Nico O’Reilly for the starting left-back role.

City’s next match will be the Community Shield against Arsenal, the champions, who finished just two points ahead in the final league standings. Wolves, after finishing midtable in the previous season, now face the challenge of rebuilding after losing two of their top performers.

For City, the addition of Aït-Nouri strengthens Pep Guardiola’s squad depth and flexibility as they prepare for another run at domestic and European trophies.