MX23RW : Wednesday, March 19 09:39:40| >> :60:280:280:

Man City pursuit of £60m Wolves star boosted by boardroom changes?

Boardroom changes: Man City pursuit of £60m Wolves star boosted?
© Imago
Manchester City are reportedly preparing to take the lead in the race for Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Rayan Ait-Nouri due to boardroom changes at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City have reportedly been boosted in the race for Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Rayan Ait-Nouri following a boardroom arrival at the Etihad Stadium.

Focusing on the pitch, the two sides will clash for the honour of Premier League points on Sunday afternoon at the Black Country base of the Wanderers.

Ait-Nouri has made a stellar start to the 2024-25 league campaign for Gary O'Neil's side, scoring twice and providing two assists across seven top-tier matches.

Despite the best efforts of the left-back, Wolves are struggling massively at the foot of the Premier League standings, occupying 20th position after seven games.

Since making an initial loan switch from French outfit Angers in October 2020, Ait-Nouri has played on 124 occasions for Wolves, scoring nine times.

Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Rayan Ait-Nouri in September 2024.© Imago

Man City given boost in Ait-Nouri pursuit?

According to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, two Premier League heavyweights are keen on securing the services of Wolves star Ait-Nouri next summer.

The report claims that both Manchester City and Manchester United are interested in the defender, who has featured 14 times for Algeria on the international stage.

It is understood that Ait-Nouri is valued at £60m, but it remains to be seen whether either one of the Manchester clubs would pay such an amount for the player.

The Citizens are set to be handed a boost in the race for the left-back, as per the Daily Mail, who claim that the influence of super agent Jorge Mendes is set to increase at the Etihad following the announcement of Hugo Viana's upcoming arrival as director of football.

Ait-Nouri is a client of Mendes, a relationship that could tip the balance in Man City's favour against their city rivals in the race for the Algerian.

Manchester United defender Luke Shaw on February 18, 2024© Imago

Man United need left-back options

Although Man City are set to take the lead in the race for Ait-Nouri, it is undoubtedly Man United who are in greater need of reinforcements at left-back.

First-choice option Luke Shaw has not featured for the Red Devils in a competitive fixture since the trip to Luton Town in the Premier League in February.

On top of the Englishman's absence, Tyrell Malacia is yet to play this term also after missing the entirety of the 2023-24 campaign due to a serious injury.

Naturally a centre-back, Croatia international Josko Gvardiol has been operating at left-back at the start of the season for Pep Guardiola's title chasers.

ID:555812:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5505:
Written by
Carter White

Click here for more stories about Rayan Ait-Nouri

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
 Wolves host Manchester City in the Premier League this weekend on October 17, 2024
Read Next:
How Man City could take advantage of Wolves missing "excellent" £40m player
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool29217169274270
2Arsenal291610353242958
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest29166749351454
4Chelsea29147853371649
5Manchester CityMan City29146955401548
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2814594738947
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton29121164842647
8Fulham2912984338545
9Aston Villa2912984145-445
10Bournemouth29128948361244
11Brentford29125125045541
12Crystal Palace2810993633339
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd29107123740-337
14Tottenham HotspurSpurs291041555431234
15Everton2971393236-434
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2997133349-1634
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2975174058-1826
18Ipswich TownIpswich2938182862-3417
19Leicester CityLeicester2945202565-4017
20Southampton2923242170-499


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!