Algeria international Rayan Aït-Nouri has reportedly given his approval to a potential transfer to Manchester City, as interest intensifies ahead of the summer window.
The Wolverhampton Wanderers left-back has enjoyed a strong campaign in the Premier League, catching the eye of several elite European clubs.
However, Manchester City, led by Pep Guardiola, now appear to be leading the race for his signature.
Sources close to the 23-year-old indicate that initial talks have taken place and that Aït-Nouri is open to joining the reigning English champions.
Guardiola is understood to be seeking reinforcements on the left side of his defence, with Aït-Nouri’s blend of tactical intelligence and attacking fluidity aligning well with the City manager’s philosophy.
The Spaniard is said to hold a high opinion of the Algerian’s versatility and believes he could thrive within the team’s dynamic system.
While formal negotiations between Manchester City and Wolves are yet to be concluded, the player’s willingness to make the switch marks a significant step forward in the transfer process.
The fee for the transfer is expected to fall within the €45 million to €50 million range, reflecting Aït-Nouri’s rising stock and his consistent performances throughout the season.
Despite the growing speculation, Aït-Nouri remains focused on his international duties with Algeria, who are preparing for friendly fixtures against Rwanda and Sweden this month.
Speaking to local media, the defender maintained a composed stance amid the growing noise surrounding his future.
“What matters to me right now are the next two matches for the national team,” he said. “I’m totally focused on that. Everyone knows Guardiola is a great coach. But as I said, what matters to me right now is focusing on the national team.”
Those close to the discussions suggest that negotiations with City are at an advanced stage, though no official agreement has yet been reached.
Should the transfer go through, it would mark a significant step in Aït-Nouri’s career and reinforce City’s strength in depth ahead of another demanding season on multiple fronts.
With interest mounting and a potential move to the Etihad edging closer, all eyes will now turn to the formalities between the two clubs as the summer window approaches.
