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

Steve Kay

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

Exclusive

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.

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.

EXCLUSIVE: Man Utd wonderkid Shea Lacey to sign professional contract

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.

READ MORE: Who is Rayan Ait-Nouri? The Wolves star wanted by multiple top Premier League clubs

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.