Manchester City 'open talks' with Wolves for Rayan Ait-Nouri

Manchester City are reportedly pursuing a deal for Wolverhampton Wanderers' Rayan Ait-Nouri.

Ait-Nouri has had a hugely impressive season at Molineux, recording 11 goal contributions in the Premier League, and with a year left to run on his contract, Manchester City will hope to pick up the Algerian for no more than £40m.

Fabrizio Romano reported on X on Monday morning: "I understand Manchester City have asked for deal conditions for Rayan Aït-Nouri at Wolves.

"He’s high on the list for left back position with contacts expected to continue."

While Pep Guardiola often deployed attacking wing-backs in his earlier years at the Etihad such as Joao Cancelo, Benjamin Mendy and Kyle Walker, the coach in recent seasons has shifted to a more conservative, defensively robust back line, with the likes of Nathan Ake and Josko Gvardiol often fielded at left-back over the last couple of years.

Ait-Nouri is at his best going forward, though there are question marks defensively over the 23-year-old, and if Guardiola is happy to sign off on Ait-Nouri, it may signal a shift in style, moving from converted centre-backs to flying wing-backs.

The position certainly needs addressing for City over the summer. Over the course of the campaign, the likes of Nico O'Reilly, Rico Lewis, Kyle Walker, Matheus Nunes and Gvardiol have all featured at full-back, with no one ever quit able to nail down a spot on either flank.

The club are also being linked with Newcastle's Tino Livramento with Kyle Walker's not expected to return to the club, and Guardiola appears to be favouring more attack-minded full-backs again.

The departure of Kevin De Bruyne leaves City short of a creative passer, and while the return of Rodri will help the Citizens control games again, Guardiola may look for other creative outlets rather than a traditional number 10.

After a busy winter transfer window, it's thought City will be spending heavily again in the summer. Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis arrived as defensive reinforcements, and it's thought the club will now move to strengthen at full-back, with Juventus' Andrea Cambiaso linked with a move worth around £50m.

Liam Williams

• Manchester City F.C.
• Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
• Premier League
• Transfer News
• • 
  •