Manchester City are on the verge of completing a £31 million deal for Wolverhampton Wanderers wing-back Rayan Ait-Nouri, aiming to finally resolve a long-standing weakness on the left side of their defence. The 24-year-old Algerian international is expected to undergo a medical this weekend, with the move including £5 million in performance-related add-ons. City are keen to wrap up the transfer before June 10, which would make him eligible for the upcoming Club World Cup.
The move marks the end of City’s search for a natural left-back since Benjamin Mendy last featured in August 2021. In the years since, Pep Guardiola has rotated through a variety of temporary solutions, ranging from centre-backs to midfielders, none of whom provided the ideal combination of attributes for his possession-based system.
Here are three reasons why Ait-Nouri is viewed as the perfect fit for Guardiola’s plans:
3. A Solution to City’s Left-Back Puzzle
Since Mendy’s exit, the left-back role has been filled by players out of position or too raw to handle the tactical demands. From Joao Cancelo and Oleksandr Zinchenko to more recent experiments with Josko Gvardiol and academy product Nico O’Reilly, none have offered the stability or two-way threat Guardiola demands from a full-back.
Ait-Nouri, however, presents a complete package. His defensive resilience and attacking flair make him a natural fit for the modern full-back role. He can function as an inverted full-back, slotting into midfield when needed, or hug the touchline and stretch defences with his pace and dribbling. His adaptability is expected to be a significant asset as City continue to evolve tactically.
2. Attacking Threat from Deep
One of the standout aspects of Ait-Nouri’s game is his attacking contribution. In the 2023–24 Premier League season, he recorded 11 goal involvements five goals and seven assists more than any other defender in the division. His 46 chances created placed him among the league’s most productive defenders, trailing only a select few like Leif Davis, Pedro Porro, and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
His ability to carry the ball forward is another major strength. With 63 successful dribbles, second only to Aaron Wan-Bissaka among defenders, Ait-Nouri consistently progressed play and unsettled defensive lines. His ability to break lines and transition from defence to attack with speed is a quality City have lacked on the left side, particularly when teams sit deep.
City’s system demands that full-backs contribute heavily to build-up and attacking phases, and Ait-Nouri’s numbers underline a player capable of doing just that.
1. Defensive Intelligence in the Final Third
Despite being recognised for his attacking qualities, Ait-Nouri is also an astute defender. He led all Premier League defenders in possession recoveries in the final third last season a statistic that speaks volumes about his work rate, positioning, and pressing ability. These qualities are vital to Guardiola’s philosophy, which relies on regaining the ball quickly and sustaining pressure high up the pitch.
His one-v-one defending has also matured significantly, and he has proven he can cope with the physicality of English football. While his decision-making speed and final pass consistency still have room for growth, there is confidence within City that he will continue developing under Guardiola’s guidance.
Following their recent investment in AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, City are already making bold moves in the transfer market. With Ait-Nouri’s potential addition, Guardiola is shaping a squad rich in youth, technical skill, and tactical flexibility. If all goes to plan, Ait-Nouri could become a defining piece in Guardiola’s new-look side perhaps even the long-awaited answer to City’s left-back conundrum.
