Wolves are preparing to wave goodbye to another one of their superstars as Rayan Ait-Nouri’s move to Manchester City nears completion.
Ait-Nouri is having his Manchester City medical this weekend after agreeing a five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium.
Man City have paid a reported £33.7 million for Ait-Nouri, although other outlets have suggested the fee is north of £40 million, with the Algerian set to be unveiled at his new club in the coming days.
The 24-year-old transferring to the Cityzens comes after Manchester United signed Matheus Cunha, with Wolves losing a whopping 32 goal involvements from last season.
Ahead of his move being finalised, former City right-back Micah Richards has now predicted how Ait-Nouri will fare under Pep Guardiola.
Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images
Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images
Micah Richards predicts Rayan Ait-Nouri to add something ‘special’ to Man City
In the 2024/25 Premier League campaign, no other defender in the competition registered more goal contributions than Ait-Nouri, who finished above Fulham’s Antonee Robinson and Real Madrid-bound Trent Alexander-Arnold.
City tried to sign Ait-Nouri in the January transfer window, and have known about his incredible talents for a while, alongside others who have watched him.
Richards feels Ait-Nouri is one of the Premier League’s best in his position, and has predicted the Algerian international to ‘add something special’ to their attack down the left.
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“I think Ait-Nouri has been amazing for years now,” Richards said on the Rest Is Football podcast. “I’ve said it, on the ball he’s really good, he can open up defences just with his skill on his own at times. He’s not the best defensively but he’s quick enough to get back if Man City are going to get countered on.
“I think he would add something really special to that side in terms of opening up spaces. Obviously, Gvardiol, I thought was Man City’s best player this season. He’s been playing there and he’s been playing centre.
“If John Stones is going to be back, if Akanji is going to be back, if Ake is going to be back. Does Gvardiol move over to centre back, or does he just share the competition with Ait Nouri? But he would definitely add an attacking element to this side without doubt.”
Ait-Nouri can perform against the biggest clubs
Ait-Nouri has all the talent in the world to become a superstar at Man City, including his incredible dribbling, driving runs and ability to find space in advanced areas.
The only question mark hanging over him is whether he can handle the pressure of expectation. Players at top clubs such as City are expected to perform week in, week out, and make hardly any errors.
Luckily, if his form against the biggest clubs is anything to go by, Ait-Nouri will bring a calmness in big game moments.
Rayan Ait-Nouri’s goals involvements against the ‘big six’ in 2024/25
Chelsea – 1 assist
Liverpool – 1 goal
Tottenham – 1 goal, 3 assists
Six of his 11 goal contributions in the league came against the ‘big six’, including a strike in a defeat away at Liverpool.
That will please Guardiola ahead of his move to Man City, as he will need his wing-back to pop up with the odd goal and assist in the big games.