Manchester City Seals Deal for Nouri Valued £36.3 million
Manchester City have reached a deal with Wolverhampton Wanderers to sign left-back Rayan Ait Nouri in a transfer worth up to £36.3 million.
The 23-year-old Algerian international is now free to discuss personal terms and undergo a medical, with City hoping to complete the deal before Tuesday’s 7pm deadline.
The agreement, which is worth an initial £31 million with a potential rise to £36.3 million, will see Ait Nouri become the latest addition to Pep Guardiola’s squad.
The young defender has been a key player for Wolves since joining the club from French side Angers in 2020, making 157 appearances and scoring 12 goals.
As part of the deal, Angers will receive around £9.7 million due to a 50 per cent sell-on clause negotiated when Ait Nouri initially moved to Wolves.
The French club will reap the benefits of their former player’s success, with Ait Nouri’s transfer fee reflecting his growing reputation as one of the top young left-backs in the Premier League.
Ait Nouri has spoken highly of Guardiola, describing him as a “great coach” while on international duty with Algeria.
However, he remained tight-lipped about his potential move to Manchester City, stating that his focus was on the national team’s upcoming matches.
When asked about Guardiola, Ait Nouri said: “Yes, everyone knows that he is a great coach. After that, I said the most important thing is to concentrate on the national team.”
The young defender’s admiration for Guardiola is likely to have played a role in his decision to join Manchester City, with the chance to work under one of the world’s top managers a major draw.
City are eager to complete the deal as quickly as possible, with the Club World Cup looming on the horizon.
If the transfer is finalized before Tuesday’s deadline, Ait Nouri will be eligible to play in the tournament, providing Guardiola with another option in defense.
With the deal nearing completion, Manchester City fans are eagerly awaiting the official announcement, which is expected to be made in the coming days.
The signing of Rayan Ait Nouri is set to be a major coup for the club, and his arrival will provide further depth and quality to Guardiola’s squad.
