Manchester City are reportedly eyeing Wolves defender Rayan Ait-Nouri as the former Premier League champions look to address their long-standing left-back dilemma.
City have been without a natural left-back since Benjamin Mendy last featured for the club in August 2021. Since then, the position has seen a rotating cast, including Oleksandr Zinchenko, Joao Cancelo, and Josko Gvardiol, while youngster Nico O’Reilly was deployed there towards the end of last season, including during the FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace.
Manager Pep Guardiola is said to be determined to resolve the issue this summer, and 23-year-old Algerian international Ait-Nouri has emerged as his preferred choice. While no formal agreement has been reached between the clubs, sources close to the deal remain optimistic that a transfer will be completed.
Ait-Nouri has been named in Algeria’s squad for their upcoming friendlies against Rwanda on 5 June and Sweden on 10 June. City are keen to finalise the move before the latter date, which would ensure the defender’s eligibility for the group stage of the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup.
