Manchester City Have Finalised A £36.3 Million Signing: How Will The Move Pan Out For The Club? | OneFootball

Over the last few weeks, the market has begun to accelerate with more decisive steps and specific names. Teams are not waiting for the Nations League to end to make their moves. Some clubs, especially in the Premier League, have already made a strong push to close key deals. Amid tense negotiations and rumours that are taking shape, one of the most talked-about moves has come from Manchester, just as the English giants prepare for the next season with a clear vision. With the transfer deadline approaching, time is running out, and the clubs are working flat out.

Manchester City Have Finalised Rayan Aït-Nouri Signing

Rayan Aït-Nouri is very close to becoming a new Manchester City player. Sky Sports revealed that the agreement reached with Wolverhampton is worth up to £36.3 million, with an initial base price of £31 million. The player has already passed his medical and will sign for five seasons.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 02: Wolves player Rayan Ait-Nouri in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Etihad Stadium on May 02, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

His arrival not only responds to a specific need but also represents a structural change in Guardiola’s defence. The Catalan coach has used multiple variations in his defensive line, but he has lacked a natural left-back with offensive ability and technical ability to link up inside. Aït-Nouri fits that profile: he is fast, technical and very intelligent with the ball.

T4O Opinion:

In financial terms, £36.3 million does not seem crazy for a club that has invested similar amounts in rotation players. Aït-Nouri is 24 years old, already knows the league, and has more than 150 games under his belt. He can adapt as a full-back or wing-back and has been a key player in Vitor Pereira’s system at Wolverhampton, and that versatility justifies the investment. In addition, with the departure or ageing of some defenders, bringing in youth with experience becomes necessary to maintain the competitiveness of a squad that competes on all fronts.

However, there is a challenge in terms of immediacy. The deadline for his registration for the Club World Cup closes on Tuesday at 7 p.m. The margin is tight. Although he has already completed his medical and is ready to sign, Pep will have little time to introduce him tactically into the group.

Express adaptation is not easy, and even less so under the demands of the Catalan coach. However, his signing could have an immediate impact due to his positional intelligence and competitive physique. Although the player is not seen as an undisputed starter in the tournament, his presence could offer tactical variations that provide rest or alternatives during intense matches.

From another perspective, the move also stands out for its symbolic value. Manchester City are not only strengthening their squad, but also their image as a club that signs players with a long-term vision. These types of moves, without much fanfare but with solid foundations, strengthen the structure without upsetting the balance of the dressing room. Aït-Nouri does not arrive with excessive pressure, but with room to grow, and that, in a team with Guardiola as the manager, often makes a difference.