Manchester City have completed their first signing of the summer transfer window, securing left-back Rayan Aït-Nouri from Wolves in a €37 million (£31.6m) deal.
The 23-year-old Algerian has signed a five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium after passing his medical, and will be registered in time to feature in the upcoming Club World Cup.
Aït-Nouri is City’s first natural left-back acquisition since João Cancelo in 2019, although he often featured as a wing-back during his time at Molineux.
City have frequently deployed makeshift left-backs under Pep Guardiola, including Josko Gvardiol, Nathan Aké, and more recently academy graduate Nico O’Reilly.
Aït-Nouri’s arrival provides a specialist option on the flank—a role that’s historically been filled by converted midfielders like Fabian Delph and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Speaking after his move, Aït-Nouri said:
“It was Manchester City from the beginning because I wanted to play for this team. I’m very excited to work with Pep Guardiola—he’s the best coach in the world. What he’s done in football and with this team is incredible. He likes to play football, and I like this style.”
The signing marks the first major move under new director of football Hugo Viana, formerly of Sporting CP. Viana commented:
“Rayan is a player we’ve tracked closely for some time. We’re delighted to bring him in. He already has solid Premier League experience and has shown his quality internationally with Algeria.”
City’s transfer activity is far from over. A £46 million deal for AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders is reportedly agreed, which would push their total 2025 spending close to £250 million—following winter signings of Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, Vitor Reis, and Abdukodir Khusanov.
Aït-Nouri adds depth and dynamism to a City squad aiming to stay on top both domestically and in Europe, with Guardiola once again reshaping his side with tactical precision.
