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Manchester City Close to Sealing Ait-Nouri Deal: A Tactical Step Forward

Manchester City appear poised to solve one of their most persistent squad-building headaches, with Pep Guardiola edging closer to signing Wolves’ Rayan Ait-Nouri. As reported by The Telegraph, negotiations are progressing positively, and the move is expected to be completed before the FIFA Club World Cup kicks off on 15 June.

This transfer, if finalised, marks City’s first acquisition of a specialist left-back since Joao Cancelo’s departure in 2022. Despite success in recent seasons, the lack of an orthodox left-sided defender has forced Guardiola into tactical adaptations that, while effective, lacked balance.

Why Ait-Nouri Fits City’s System

Guardiola has long admired full-backs capable of inverting into midfield or pushing high up the pitch. Ait-Nouri offers exactly that. Known for his dribbling, progressive carries and attacking instincts, the Algerian has impressed over four Premier League seasons with Wolves.

Photo: IMAGO

According to The Telegraph, “Ait-Nouri is regarded as similar to Cancelo, especially with the attacking threat he provides.” That versatility and flair mirror what Guardiola often demands from his full-backs, particularly in high-possession systems.

At just 23, Ait-Nouri still has room for tactical refinement, but his Premier League experience gives him a head start. Notably, City want “Premier League-ready players” after spending heavily in January on overseas talent, of whom only Omar Marmoush has regularly featured.

Transfer Details and Financial Implications

Ait-Nouri is currently valued at around £50 million by Wolves, although a final fee is still being negotiated. However, both clubs are said to be “happy with the negotiations,” and the player is reportedly “keen on the move,” making a deal highly likely.

An interesting financial subplot involves Angers, Ait-Nouri’s former club, who hold a 50 percent sell-on clause. Wolves are expected to buy that clause out for around £9 million before completing the transfer.

Wolves, for their part, are already preparing for life without Ait-Nouri. They’ve begun the search for his replacement and had reportedly been preparing to offer him a new contract. But with only two years left on his current deal, now appears to be the right time to cash in.

Implications for City’s Tactical Evolution

This signing also allows Josko Gvardiol to shift back to his natural role at centre-back. Guardiola has previously used both Gvardiol and academy product Nico O’Reilly at left-back, but neither is naturally suited to the role. As The Telegraph notes, “Gvardiol’s future lies at centre-half,” and O’Reilly is likely to develop as a No 10.

Photo: IMAGO

Bringing in Ait-Nouri also complements other reported moves. City are actively pursuing Lyon’s Rayan Cherki and AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders, as part of a summer overhaul targeting creativity and depth. A move for Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White has seemingly been dropped in favour of more cost-effective alternatives.

Wolves at a Crossroads

This summer also marks a pivotal moment for Wolves. The Midlands club has already lost Matheus Cunha to Manchester United after the £62.5 million release clause in his contract was activated. The loss of Ait-Nouri would mark the second key departure in a few weeks, suggesting a rebuild is underway.

With the sell-on clause managed and funds available, Wolves may reinvest smartly, but there’s no denying the loss of a key contributor in Ait-Nouri will be a significant blow.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

This move feels like a masterstroke. After seasons of makeshift solutions at left-back, bringing in a true specialist with Premier League experience is exactly what the club needs. City have managed to dominate despite that positional gap, but with Ait-Nouri, there’s finally a sense of balance returning to the backline.

The Algerian’s flair, energy and intelligence make him ideal for Guardiola’s fluid system. His dribbling can break compact defences, and his pace helps defensively in transitions. What’s more, his age means he can be moulded into a long-term solution, just like Kyle Walker and Cancelo once were.

City fans will be thrilled to hear that this move may be done in time for the Club World Cup. It shows ambition and preparation. If Pep truly wants players who are already proven in English football, Ait-Nouri is about as proven as it gets for a 23-year-old.

One can’t help but feel excited about a summer that may also bring in Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders. With these additions, Guardiola seems to be quietly building the next iteration of his all-conquering squad.