Rayan Ait-Nouri joins Manchester City for £31 million deal

In June 2025, Rayan Ait-Nouri, the Algeria international footballer, joined Manchester City from Wolverhampton Wanderers in a transfer deal worth £31 million. This signing marked a significant moment for City, as it filled a long-standing need for a specialist left-back position that had remained vacant since Benjamin Mendy's last appearance almost four years ago. Ait-Nouri expressed his excitement and optimism about his new journey at City, especially under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, whom he described as the best manager. During his first match with City, a comfortable victory over Al Ain held in Atlanta, Ait-Nouri played the full 90 minutes and demonstrated his capabilities. He highlighted the quality of his teammates, particularly noting the skills of Erling Haaland, who has a reputation for being an outstanding player. Ait-Nouri's positive experience continues to build as he expressed he was enjoying the freedom of playing without pressure within Guardiola's tactical setup. Additionally, the signing of Ait-Nouri is part of a broader squad overhaul following Manchester City's underwhelming performance during the 2024-25 season. Along with Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, and Marcus Bettinelli, Ait-Nouri’s arrival signifies City's intent to strengthen the squad in pursuit of future successes. Although the team recorded an 8-0 aggregate victory in recent matches, they currently seek to secure the top position in their group to avoid facing tough opposition from Real Madrid’s group in the forthcoming stages of the tournament. As the team prepares for their upcoming match against Juventus in Orlando, the conditions are expected to be challenging, with high temperatures forecasted. City is working through some injury concerns and suspensions, but Ait-Nouri's positive outlook and his adaptability in the defensive position could play a pivotal role as they aim to maintain their momentum in the ongoing competition.