Manchester City has identified Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Rayan Ait-Nouri as a primary target to strengthen their left-back position. City manager Pep Guardiola has been keen to resolve the issue of lacking a specialist in that role since the departure of Benjamin Mendy in August 2021, with various players, including Oleksandr Zinchenko and Joao Cancelo, filling in since then.

Ait-Nouri, 23, has emerged as a top candidate for the role, and while no formal agreement has been reached, sources indicate that a deal is likely to materialize soon. The Algeria international is currently preparing for friendly matches against Rwanda and Sweden, having been named in the national squad.

Guardiola aims to finalize the transfer before June 10 to ensure Ait-Nouri is available for the group stage of the upcoming Club World Cup. Last season, Ait-Nouri stood out as one of the top-performing defenders in the Premier League, recording 11 goal involvements and creating 46 chances for teammates—numbers that highlight his attacking prowess.

His ability to complete 63 dribbles and win possession back in crucial areas further demonstrates his suitability for City's possession-based style of play. Former Wolves coach Edu Rubio praised Ait-Nouri's technical skills and defensive capabilities, suggesting he could adapt well to Guardiola's tactics.

As City prepares for the new season with ambitions of reclaiming the Premier League title and competing in Europe, the acquisition of Ait-Nouri could provide the necessary depth and quality in defense.