Manchester City to make stunning swoop for Premier League star, with negotiations already underway: report

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola gives instructions during a game against Bournemouth in November 2023.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Manchester City have entered into negotiations over the possibility of signing a rival Premier League star, as they look to add even more quality to their squad. 

While Pep Guardiola and his team are in the midst of a Premier League title battle, the Manchester City hierarchy have started work behind the scenes ahead of the summer transfer window. 

And one report suggests that they're on the verge of coming to an agreement, with two separate offers available to their rivals. 

Manchester City target Rayan Ait-Nouri of Wolves

City are interested in Ait-Nouri (Image credit: Getty Images)

According to Football Transfers, Manchester City have "held talks" with Wolves about the possibility of signing Rayan Ait-Nouri in the summer, with the Premier League side placing a £60m valuation on their star full-back.

The report suggests that Manchester City will look to get the Algerian for cheaper, though, instead offering Sergio Gomez in a player-plus-cash swap deal. Gomez has struggled for gametime since joining City at the beginning of last season, playing just 36 minutes in the Premier League in 2023/24.

Ait-Nouri, meanwhile, has been flying for Wolves this season, impressing with his performances at left-back under Gary O'Neil. And though Pep Guardiola has used both Josko Gvardiol and Nathan Ake in that position to great effect this term, he could finally be ready to bring in a specialist left-back. 

Nathan Ake Manchester City defender playing Premier League

Ake has often filled in at left-back (Image credit: Getty Images)

At 22, Ait-Nouri still has plenty of room for growth, too, making him an attractive prospect for Manchester City. 

Though valued at £28m by Transfermarkt, Wolves' valuation of Ait-Nouri likely refers to the fact he still has three years remaining on his deal. They're in no rush to sell, while Manchester City have the cash to afford a player of his calibre.

In FourFourTwo's view, this is certainly a feasible deal, with Ait-Nouri standing out in an impressive side this term. While he might cost a little over the odds, offering Sergio Gomez could present a good opportunity for both parties involved in the deal, as well as both players.

More Manchester City stories 

Manchester City have been linked with Jamal Musiala – with the European champions reportedly open to smashing their transfer record for the star

A Brazilian wonderkid has been linked, as has a former academy graduate and Bundesliga hero Florian Wirtz. Meanwhile, Guardiola has called out the state of the Bernabeu pitch, following City's 3-3 draw with Real Madrid. 

Ryan Dabbs
Staff writer

Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before eventually earning himself a position with FourFourTwo permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future. 

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