Man City on verge of completing deal for Ait-Nouri

Rayan Ait-Nouri’s signing from Wolves is on the verge of being completed for a reported sum of $ 31 million.

As the final stages of the deal, which includes £5 million in add-ons, come to an end, the 24-year-old is scheduled to have a medical at the club this weekend.

To be able to compete in the Club World Cup group stage, City would need to complete the transfer by June 10th.

Ait-Nouri, an Algeria international, was at the top of Pep Guardiola’s list to help his side’s problematic left-back problem.

Several players have had extended positions, including Oleksandr Zinchenko, Joao Cancelo, and Josko Gvardiol.

At the end of last season, Nico O’Reilly, a youngster, took over the role, including Crystal Palace’ FA Cup final defeat.

Ait-Nouri made 41 appearances in all competitions last season as the club avoided relegation, scoring five goals and adding seven assists, after signing a £14.9 million deal from Angers from Angers in 2021. The club previously spent the previous year on loan.

With Matheus Cunha set to join Manchester United, he will be Wolves’ second highly public departure of the summer.

Ait-Nouri’s goal involvements last term were higher than any other Premier League defender, demonstrating his versatility in joining attacks.

Additionally, only Trent Alexander-Arnold (53) and Leif Davis (61), Pedro Porro (57), and Trent Alexander-Arnold (53), combined to score more chances than the former Angers man (46).

The only top-flight defender to complete more dribbles last term than Ait-Nouri (64) was Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

And his forward-facing tight ball control and pace are comparable to those that Guardiola has previously excelled at.

He will also be aware that Ait-Nouri has demonstrated his ability to quickly and effectively snuff out danger.

Edu Rubio, a former Wolves coach, collaborated with Ait-Nouri during the 2022-23 campaign.

He has the opportunity to fit perfectly into Pep Guardiola’s possession-based play thanks to his technical skill, ability, and ability to keep the ball close to his feet in tight areas.

He can also dribble quickly, which is what Manchester City currently needs: players who can break lines.

Since joining the Premier League, he has improved his defensive skills, and his one-on-one defending is very high. He is physically adaptable, versatile, and plays either as an inverted full-back or as a flanker in any position.

In a possession game that Pep enjoys, he needs to improve his decision-making. He can take too many touches at once and slow down the ball’s speed. Additionally, he needs to improve his final product.