Rayan Ait-Nouri: Full-back passes Manchester City medical as Pep Guardiola nears treble transfer swoop | OneFootball

The Algeria international will sign on the dotted line this weekend according to reports

Pep Guardiola is looking to overhaul his ageing squad this summer after enduring a rare trophyless season. The hugely experienced Kyle Walker is set to move on after spending six dismal months at AC Milan, and his replacement is already teed up.

Reports say Ait-Nouri has today completed a medical exam ahead of moving to the Etihad and is due to sign a five-year deal on Sunday. The transfer is thought to be worth around £33million.

Ait-Nouri’s arrival is an important one. No one player has laid a serious claim to the position this season, with Nico O’Reilly, Josko Gvardiol, and Nathan Ake all sharing the role since Oleksandr Zinchenko moved to Arsenal in 2022.

A competent defender and incisive attacker, the 24-year-old is the consumate modern full-back and should serve as a long-term solution for Guardiola. He could debut as early as June 18, when City face Wydad Casablanca in their Club World Cup opener.

City have wasted little time in refreshing their squad ahead of the summer tournament. The Ait-Nouri deal is their second of the summer, with a move for AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders also reported to be near completion. The Dutch international’s medical is expected to take place on Sunday.

Negotiations are also ongoing for Lyon forward Rayan Cherki. The Frenchman confirmed talks were being held in an interview earlier this week, but he is not thought to be in a rush to join ahead of the Club World Cup. He could serve as a replacement for Jack Grealish, who is set to leave the club as he looks to revive his form and challenge for a spot in the England squad.

Cherki caught the eye as he made his senior France debut on Thursday as Les Bleus were narrowly beaten by Spain in a nine-goal thriller. He scored in the 79th minute to take the score to 5-2 as France looked to mount a comeback, but they could not quite complete the job after trailing by four before the hour mark.