Rayan Aït-Nouri: The Transfer That Still Hurts Wolves Fans
A Star on the Rise at Wolves
When Rayan Aït-Nouri first arrived at Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer of 2020 on loan from Angers in France, there were immediate flashes of the kind of talent that suggested he could one day be a Premier League mainstay. Aït-Nouri wasn’t just any left-back—he was a player capable of carrying the ball forward with pace, producing tantalizing dribbles, and crossing with precision, even at such a young age.
His early days at Wolves weren’t perfect—he had some defensive lapses, and there were moments of inexperience—but there was always something undeniable about his technical ability. By the time Wolves made the loan move permanent in 2021, Aït-Nouri was developing into one of the club’s most exciting assets. His ability to progress the ball up the left flank, combined with his growing defensive discipline, had earned him a regular spot in the team.
Under Bruno Lage, Wolves saw glimpses of what Aït-Nouri could become. His attacking runs were dynamic, he was fearless in pushing forward, and his link-up play with teammates was improving. By the time Julen Lopetegui took over in late 2022, Aït-Nouri was one of the most reliable contributors to Wolves’ offensive play, offering consistent width and crossing ability down the left.
However, Wolves fans had always been aware of the one area of his game that needed refinement: his defending.
The Flaws: A Defensive Liability?
Aït-Nouri has always been a full-back who thrives in attacking situations but struggles when the defensive side of the game is called upon. This wasn’t a new issue when he joined City—it was something Wolves fans had seen firsthand. Aït-Nouri would frequently get caught out of position, leave his man untracked, or struggle against more direct wingers. While he was undeniably talented in offensive transitions, he was sometimes a liability in defensive transitions.
Despite significant improvement in his defensive responsibilities over time, Aït-Nouri never truly eradicated those lapses in concentration or positional errors, especially in a back four. His best performances often came in a more flexible, wing-back role, where he could push higher up the pitch without the burden of defending deep. But even when playing as a more traditional full-back, there were enough vulnerabilities to make fans nervous.
The £36 Million Move to Manchester City
So, when Manchester City came knocking for Aït-Nouri in the summer of 2025, the reaction from Wolves fans was mixed. Yes, City is one of the biggest clubs in the world, and yes, it’s a huge opportunity for Aït-Nouri to develop further under Pep Guardiola. But many were left wondering: Was £36 million a fair price for a player with so much potential?
To put things into context:
Ben Chilwell moved from Leicester to Chelsea for £50 million.
Marc Cucurella, a player with a similar profile, was signed by Chelsea for around £60 million.
Jules Koundé, a center-back with fewer attacking qualities, went to Barcelona for £50 million.
For a 23-year-old, Algerian international, who had proven himself in the Premier League, £36 million felt low, particularly when considering his attacking potential, technical ability, and upside. If Aït-Nouri had remained at Wolves for another season or two, the transfer fee could have easily skyrocketed, especially if his defensive game continued to improve.
So why did Wolves sell him at what seems like a cut-price deal?
Potential Reasons for the Sale
- Financial Constraints and FFP: Wolves have been navigating financial fair play (FFP) regulations in recent years. They’ve made high-profile signings in the past, but the club also needed to ensure they were balancing the books. The sale of Aït-Nouri allowed them to secure funds for new signings without breaching any FFP rules.
- A Gentleman’s Agreement?: There have been rumors that Wolves may have had an understanding with Aït-Nouri when he first joined the club, possibly allowing him to leave for a “set” amount if a top club came in for him. This could have limited Wolves’ bargaining power when Manchester City made their move.
- Strategic Rebuilding: Wolves had been focusing on restructuring their squad, transitioning to younger, more adaptable players. The sale of Aït-Nouri may have been part of a broader long-term plan to rebuild, both in terms of the team’s age profile and financial stability.
Despite these rational explanations, the emotional aspect of the sale still stings. Fans had grown fond of Aït-Nouri, believing he had the potential to become a Premier League star. His departure left a sense of unfinished business, especially given the low sale price and the belief that he could’ve achieved even more at Wolves.
Aït-Nouri’s Manchester City Debut: Flashes of Brilliance, But Familiar Defensive Worries
Upon arriving at Manchester City, Aït-Nouri had big boots to fill. He wasn’t just joining any club; he was stepping into one of the most well-oiled footballing machines in Europe, one that is strategically built to compete for every major trophy.
In his early performances, particularly at the FIFA Club World Cup against Al Ain, Aït-Nouri’s attacking talent was on full display. His ability to drive forward with the ball, make dynamic runs, and offer penetrative crosses down the left side was exactly what Guardiola had envisioned when he brought him in.
However, the defensive side of his game has not gone unnoticed, especially after City’s surprising defeat to Al-Hilal. Fans and pundits alike began to question Aït-Nouri’s ability to consistently perform in a back four, particularly against quick, direct wingers. The defensive frailties that Wolves fans had often pointed out became evident once more, leading some City supporters to express concern.
Here are a few comments from City fans that reflect this sentiment:
@Konkos001: “Aït-Nouri is good going forward but very poor defensively.”
@GrantHo16890702: “Defensively a problem. Said Aït-Nouri is a liability defensively, and he’s shown exactly that.”
These observations aren’t new for Wolves fans, who have witnessed this paradox with Aït-Nouri for years: brilliant going forward, but questionable when defending.
The Evolution at City: Can Guardiola Transform Him?
The question now is whether Pep Guardiola—one of the most tactically astute managers in the world—can help Aït-Nouri iron out those defensive imperfections. Guardiola has a long history of improving players, especially those with raw attacking talent. Phil Foden, João Cancelo, and Kyle Walker are prime examples of players whose careers have flourished under Guardiola’s tutelage.
For Aït-Nouri, the key to success lies in:
Positioning: Aït-Nouri must learn how to position himself better when City is in defensive transition, especially when facing fast wingers or direct counter-attacks.
Tactical discipline: Guardiola’s system demands strict positional awareness. Aït-Nouri needs to adjust to the more rigid defensive responsibilities of a traditional full-back in City’s setup.
1v1 defending: Against the likes of Mohamed Salah or Bukayo Saka, Aït-Nouri will need to develop more confidence and composure in one-on-one situations.
It’s possible that with time, Aït-Nouri will evolve into a much more rounded full-back at City. Given his age and current skill set, he’s still far from reaching his peak potential.
The Long-Term Implications for Wolves
For Wolves, the departure of Aït-Nouri presents both challenges and opportunities. Losing a player of his quality means that Wolves will have to find a replacement, whether it’s through the transfer market or by continuing to develop young players like Hugo Bueno and Ryan Giles. These players may not yet have the same attacking flair as Aït-Nouri, but they have the potential to become key figures in Wolves’ tactical evolution.
At the same time, Wolves will need to rethink their defensive structure. Lopetegui and O’Neil both had tactical systems that required strong full-backs, but without Aït-Nouri, the club will have to find alternative ways to deliver width and creativity from the left side.
Final Thoughts: A Transfer Full of What-Ifs
In the end, Rayan Aït-Nouri’s transfer to Manchester City is filled with both promise and potential regret. For City, they’ve acquired a talented but raw full-back, capable of becoming a star under Guardiola’s guidance. For Wolves, it’s a painful reminder of a lost opportunity—a talented player who could have reached even greater heights had he stayed at Molineux longer.
As Wolves fans watch Aït-Nouri’s progress from afar, they’ll be hoping for the best—but also wondering whether £36 million was, in fact, a bargain or a missed chance. Only time will tell whether the sale was a shrewd piece of business or a decision that will haunt them for years to come.