Latest Wolves transfer news from BirminghamLive brings you Manchester City’s reported interest in Rayan Ait Nouri

Rayan Ait-Nouri in action for Wolverhampton Wanderers

Manchester City reportedly see Wolverhampton Wanderers’ star Rayan Ait-Nouri as a ‘plausible target’ to resolve their left-back problems.

The reigning champions looked at the Frenchman late in the summer, after their approach to sign Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella fell through. Meanwhile, Sergio Gomez who City signed instead is ‘not fully trusted to start games yet’ according to The Athletic.

Pep Guardiola is apparently keen to bring in another player to add depth to his squad and Ait-Nouri remains a potential target. The report claims he is seen as a ‘plausible target’ for the full-back department which has been described as a ‘priority’ by the club.

City have just one option on either flank, with Kyle Walker on the right and Joao Cancelo on the left, although Nathan Ake can fill in there. Along with Ait-Nouri, Borussia Dortmund star Raphael Guerreiro is also said to be on the radar, as well as Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell and Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney.

The 21-year-old who initially joined Wolves on loan in 2020 has gone on to make 65 appearances for the Wanderers. He played a crucial role in Wolves’ 2-1 win against Everton at Goodison Park, as he struck the winner in the 95th minute in Julen Lopetegui’s first league game in charge.

City’s January fixture list described as ‘terrible’

City face Leeds United tonight in their first Premier League game since an abject, lethargic, deserved 2-1 defeat at the hands of Brentford in the last game before an unprecedented winter World Cup interrupted the season and placed it on hold for over 6 weeks. Since that defeat to Brentford, we have watched Argentina lift their first World Cup since 1986, Julian Alvarez became a World Champion and City defeated Liverpool 3-2 in a Carabao Cup classic in their first competitive fixture since Qatar.

Now the attention shifts back to the Premier League and the realisation that City are not currently in the driving seat for the title becomes apparent. According to manager Pep Guardiola however, the fixture list for January is described as ‘terrible’ as City looks to regain some footing to Arsenal and keep their quadruple hopes alive.

“We talked with the players and said, ‘Guys, it’s back to the business,’” said Guardiola when speaking in his pre-match press conference.

“It’s the best proof to know how we are, how we can do it because we have Leeds United, then it is non-stop.“Our schedule in January is terrible, in terms of the amount of games and the quality of the opponent.

“Leeds is one of the toughest games we could have had. I would have preferred another opponent than Leeds after the World Cup.

Guardiola isn’t wrong when describing City’s fixture list, after the Leeds fixture the Blues host Everton on New Year’s Eve, before a trip to Stamford Bridge awaits them on January 5th. 3 days later City welcome Chelsea to the Etihad this time for a 3rd round FA Cup clash. Southampton, Manchester United, Tottenham and Wolves round out the rest of January’s fixtures and the task that faces Guardiola and his side is monumental.

The Blues will have to be at their brilliant best in order to overcome Jesse Marsch’s side as the American has recently found success after being perilously close to the sack earlier this season. March has his side practising the counter-press or “gegenpress” which he refined whilst he managed RB Salzburg and RB Leipzig, the former saw the Leeds manager link up with City’s very own Erling Haaland. Leeds have favoured a 4-2-3-1 all season, using exciting youngsters such as Crysencio Summerville and most recently Wilfried Gnonto behind in-form Rodrigo who has scored 9 goals in 13 appearances in the Premier League this season.

A win at Elland Road will feel like a monumental win for the Cityzens and could shift the momentum back in their favour, as City notoriously enter a rhythm when playing every 3 days. Not only can their squad handle it, but Guardiola’s system also benefits from a quick turnaround and regular action.

Source: birminghammail.co.uk