Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has identified Rayan Ait-Nouri as his top target to fix the team’s ongoing issues at left-back.
City have lacked a dedicated left-back since Benjamin Mendy’s last appearance in August 2021.
Since then, the position has seen a rotating cast of players, including Oleksandr Zinchenko, Joao Cancelo, and Josko Gvardiol.
Towards the end of the most recent campaign, youngster Nico O’Reilly was used in the role, including in City’s FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace.
Determined to shore up this area of the squad, Guardiola has set his sights on Wolves defender Ait-Nouri this summer.
While there’s no official agreement yet, sources indicate that City are optimistic about striking a deal for the 23-year-old Algeria international.
Pep Guardiola has put Rayan Ait-Nouri at the top of his list to solve his side's problematic left-back spot 👀 pic.twitter.com/CPxHKPn2Ws
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 2, 2025
Ait-Nouri has been called up to represent Algeria in their upcoming friendlies against Rwanda on June 5 and Sweden on June 10.
For Ait-Nouri to be eligible for the group stage of the Club World Cup, City would need to finalise the transfer before the 10 June deadline.
The window will then close for the duration of the tournament, before re-opening for the remainder of the summer.
FIFA have allocated a hefty amount of prize money for the competition, meaning teams are inclined to take it seriously in a bid to raise funds and improve their squads.
City are also reportedly targeting Rayan Cherki from Lyon and Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan.
