For most players in the world looking to play in the Premier League, a move to either Manchester City or Liverpool would be their dream transfer due to both clubs’ respective successes in recent years.
Pep Guardiola has turned Manchester City into serial winners and the fact that a third-placed finish in the Premier League last season was a poor campaign for them speaks volumes of the standards they have set.
As for Liverpool, Arne Slot’s success as Jurgen Klopp’s heir has been a message to world football that they are a club that is ready to win trophies in the here and now.
Florian Wirtz chose Liverpool over Manchester City as his next destination and perhaps a key factor behind his decision was their Premier League title win last season.
Man City star Rayan Ait-Nouri’s former teammate says he expected him to join Liverpool
However, City have not seemingly struggled to attract top talent this summer whatsoever, including names like Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Rayan Cherki.
Manchester City signed Ait-Nouri for £34 million and across the board, they have managed to conclude deals for such quality players without breaking the bank.
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However, the former Wolves left-back’s former teammate at Angers, Abdoulaye Bamba told Africa Foot that he expected the 24-year-old to sign for Liverpool: “Personally, I imagined him more at Liverpool, but City remains an exceptional destination to continue his development. Guardiola hasn’t discovered him this season; he’s probably been following him for a while. Rayan will learn a lot from him.”
Ait-Nouri called Pep Guardiola a “great coach” and Bamba expects the Algerian to succeed under him: “He’s a demanding, very rigorous coach who has a clear idea of his game plan. If he wanted to recruit him, it’s because he truly believes in his potential. Ait-Nouri will play in a team that plays at the forefront, whether in the Premier League or the Champions League. And in training, he’ll be surrounded by world-class players.”
Whether Liverpool want to sign Rayan Ait-Nouri
In 2024, The Mirror reported that Liverpool were interested in signing Ait-Nouri.
At the time, it was claimed that the Reds felt he would be a brilliant understudy for Andy Robertson.
However, Ait-Nouri revealed his priority was joining Manchester City over any club, which would be an eye-opener for Bamba as he expected the versatile defender to sign for Liverpool.
The player explained: To be honest, my choice was to join Manchester City from the beginning, because what I said to my family, I want to play for this team, how they develop the game, how they play, I’m very happy to play here, it’s a big pleasure for me.”