Man City tipped to struggle with Wolves fee for Rayan Ait-Nouri
Man City’s spending in January may come back to haunt them as they look to get a deal over the line for Wolves defender Rayan Ait-Nouri.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson revealed he had concerns about whether the Sky Blues can afford to “shell out” on a new fullback.
Ait-Nouri made his case for being one of the Premier League‘s top fullbacks last season by scoring four and assisting seven in 37 matches for Wolves.
Robinson told Football Insider that he thinks the Algerian is the “type of player that will fit into Pep’s [Guardiola] system”, thanks to his strong defensive capabilities.
Pete O’Rourke revealed exclusively to Football Insider in March that Tottenham were interested in Ait-Nouri, but whilst City look set to steal a march on their Premier League rivals, they may face issues funding the transfer amid big spending elsewhere.
Man City’s January business may hinder Rayan Ait-Nouri deal
City have been without a recognised left-back since Joao Cancelo departed for Bayern Munich in the 2022/23 season, often using centre-back Josko Gvardiol out of position as an alternative.
Speaking on the latest Insider Track, Robinson revealed just how highly he thinks of Ait-Nouri, but pointed out the potential financial restraints the Sky Blues may have placed on themselves after a busy January transfer window.
“He’s a good player. He’s a really good player.” Robinson told Football Insider.
“I’ve covered Wolves a lot this year. I really, really enjoyed watching him, I think, in an attacking sense as well.
“He’s the type of player that will fit into Pep’s system. He’s good defensively. He’s aggressive in the tackle, and defensively, he’s very clued up.
“His positional awareness is excellent, but I think you’re going to have to pay for him, because I’m looking at his contract.
“His contract expires in June 2026, but there’s a one-year option for the club, so you look at that, he’s got a couple of years left on his deal.
“But then on the flip side of that, you look at what he brings to the side, four goals, seven assists, is a huge part of what Wolves do in the attack in third, and he’s still only 23 whether Wolves would do a deal or not, it’s yet to be seen, but it would have to be a cost.
“I mean, Pete [O’Rourke] will have a lot more idea of valuation than I will.
“But you look at what Wolves paid. They paid less than 10million quid for him, so from a business sense, if they’re in the 50s, 60s for him, I think it would be a deal that would work for both.
“I think he would excel at Manchester City with better players around him as well. He’s certainly a player that Pep would like.
“But after having spent 180-plus-million in January, whether they can afford to shell that on a full back. I’m not so sure they can.”
Man City finally find solution at left-back
Gvardiol has been one of the Premier League’s best left-backs since joining from RB Leipzig.
However, the Croatian’s best position remains as a centre-back, and that was evidenced by City’s improved performances in the back end of last season.
Nico O’Reilly’s emergence from the academy allowed Gvardiol to move to the heart of the defence, and the Sky Blues ultimately cruised to Champions League qualification.
Pete O’Rourke revealed to Football Insider in February that City were looking at Andrea Cambiaso and Theo Hernandez.
But after looking at options abroad, it seems the Sky Blues have now settled on an option a little closer to home, should they find the finances for the deal.