Rayan Aït-Nouri is on the verge of completing a high-profile move to Manchester City, with the Premier League giants finalising the deal in a transfer worth approximately €11.5 million.
The transfer is also set to benefit his former club Angers SCO, who are entitled to a sell-on clause that will see them receive a share of the fee.
The French-born Algerian left-back is expected to be officially presented by Manchester City in the coming hours, just ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup — a competition City are determined to approach at full strength.
The club is moving quickly to integrate its new recruits into the squad in time for the tournament.
Aït-Nouri, who has been with Wolverhampton Wanderers since 2020, will draw the curtain on his time at Molineux this weekend. His move to the reigning UEFA Champions League winners represents a significant step in his career, as he transitions from a mid-table Premier League outfit to one of Europe’s most dominant forces.
Manchester City’s interest in Aït-Nouri is part of a broader recruitment strategy aimed at rejuvenating sections of their squad following a season that saw them lose their grip on the English league title.
Pep Guardiola is believed to be seeking players with fresh energy and versatility, and Aït-Nouri’s technical finesse, offensive thrust, and defensive reliability have made him a prime target.
The 23-year-old will be joining a fiercely competitive squad, where he’ll have to prove his worth among established names and rising talents alike. Nonetheless, his profile fits Guardiola’s tactical framework, particularly in a system that demands full-backs contribute in both defensive and attacking phases of play.
Known for his composure on the ball and ability to advance play from deep, Aït-Nouri could provide City with a valuable alternative down the left flank.
Should the deal go through as expected, Aït-Nouri would become the first Algerian player to be given a sustained opportunity to feature under Guardiola — a milestone that adds further significance to the transfer.
His potential breakthrough at the Etihad could also serve as inspiration for a new generation of Algerian footballers eyeing careers at the top levels of European football.
Manchester City’s summer business, however, is not expected to stop with Aït-Nouri. The club is reportedly active in talks surrounding other high-calibre talents, including Dutch international Tijjani Reijnders and French prospect Rayan Cherki.
These moves highlight City’s ambition to refresh their squad ahead of a new campaign while ensuring depth across all positions.
For Aït-Nouri, the move represents both a challenge and an opportunity — a chance to develop under one of the most decorated managers in the modern game and compete for silverware at the highest level.
His arrival at Manchester City is not just a transfer; it is the beginning of a new chapter that could redefine his trajectory on the international stage.
As he bids farewell to Wolves, Aït-Nouri leaves behind a solid Premier League foundation. Now, his focus turns to cementing his place among football’s elite in Manchester.
💙🇩🇿 Rayan Ait-Nouri’s contract at Manchester City will be valid until June 2030.
The signatures will be ready after medical tests taking place on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/5TbZ2lH3vk
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 6, 2025
