EXCLUSIVE: Man City open Ait-Nouri talks amid Arsenal & Liverpool competition

Updated: 15 Apr 2024 22:40 BST
3 min read

Rayan Ait-Nouri, Man City, Wolves, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Manchester City have held talks with Wolverhampton Wanderers regarding a possible summer move for Rayan Ait-Nouri, FootballTransfers has been told.

Ait-Nouri, 22, has been one of Wolves’ best performers so far this season, and his form as a left-wing-back has attracted interest from the Premier League’s biggest clubs.

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Arsenal and Liverpool are also monitoring the Algerian defender, as previously reported by FootballTransfers, although Man City’s pursuit may be aided by their strong relationship with Jorge Mendes - Ait-Nouri’s agent.

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We have been informed that Man City’s discussions with Wolves have included the possibility of involving Sergio Gomez in a player-plus-cash swap deal with Ait-Nouri.

The Spaniard has made just 14 first-team appearances for Man City this season and he has only started two Premier League games since arriving from Anderlecht in 2022.

As a result, he is looking to leave the Etihad Stadium this summer.

Although Pep Guardiola has used both Josko Gvardiol and Nathan Ake at left-back this season, sources have told us that he is looking to bring in a more attacking option on that flank.

Ait-Nouri fits this criteria perfectly, and we understand he is currently ahead of Antonee Robinson on Man City’s transfer wish-list. The Fulham man has also been looked at by Guardiola’s side, but Ait-Nouri is preferred as things stand.

We understand Wolves have set Ait-Nouri's price tag at €70m (£60m).

Pedro Neto to Man City?

In addition, we have been told that Wolves’ €94 million (£80m) valuation of Pedro Neto is regarded as excessive by Man City.

The Portuguese winger was seen as a key transfer target earlier this year, but his injury record is a problem; Neto is currently sidelined through a hamstring problem and he has missed 47 games due to injury since the start of last season.

A summer move to Man City isn’t out of the question, given their historical interest, although the reigning treble winners are extremely unlikely to pay Wolves’ current asking price.