
Man City signs left back Aït-Nouri from Wolves ahead of Club World Cup
MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester City signed Algeria left back Rayan Aït-Nouri from Wolverhampton for a reported fee of 37 million euros ($42 million) on Monday.
City has been deploying center backs Nathan Ake and, more recently, Josko Gvardiol at left back in recent seasons but now has a specialist option in Aït-Nouri, who is a very attacking full back.
The 23-year-old Aït-Nouri joined Wolves from French team Angers in 2020.
His contract at City runs to 2030 and he will be available for the new-look, 32-team Club World Cup, which starts on Saturday.
City is in the same group as Juventus, Al Ain and Wydad Casablanca and its first match is on June 18.
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


USA Today
33 minutes ago
- USA Today
FIFA's pitch to Club World Cup ticket buyers despite slow sales: Be part of soccer history
FIFA's pitch to Club World Cup ticket buyers despite slow sales: Be part of soccer history Show Caption Hide Caption Why Real Madrid is heavy favorite to win FIFA Club World Cup Safid Deen and Seth Vertelney explain why Real Madrid look like a safe bet to hoist the FIFA Club World Cup trophy when all is said and done. Sports Seriously CORAL GABLES, FL — FIFA president Gianni Infantino believes the Club World Cup opener with Lionel Messi's Inter Miami and Egpytian side Al Ahly at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, June 14 will be 'full' and 'packed' with fans. Infantino didn't quite say sell out. But he's taking news of slow ticket sales in stride. Although ticket sales have not met FIFA's expectations in the final week before the new tournament begins, Infantino thinks soccer fans in the United States should take advantage of the opportunity to watch 32 of the best soccer club teams in the world in the 11 cities where matches will be played this summer. 'I think this is the important element that people have to really capture now – be part of history,' Infantino said during a Club World Cup event at FIFA's headquarters near Miami on May 10. 'Football is such an important sport all over the world. We'll have billions of people watching this Club World Cup from home, who would love to come and to attend. And we'll have millions who are here, and who will be able to be part of this very first FIFA Club World Cup, which will enter into history. So, I think it's great.' Some Club World Cup ticket prices have been lowered significantly thanks to dynamic pricing – a mechanism used to lower or raise ticket prices based on demand. The cheapest tickets to half of the Club World Cup group stage matches (24 of 48) are under $36 all-in with fees before taxes. FIFA has a $2 billion revenue target it expects to generate from the Club World Cup – which includes $1 billion already paid by DAZN to live stream all 63 matches for free on their website and app, and another $500 million in marketing rights. The other $500 million will come from hospitality rights and ticket sales. Along with the $1 billion prize pool that will be paid by FIFA and divided among the 32 Club World Cup teams, FIFA is targeting to make $250 million in solidarity payments to other clubs and leagues around the world to further the game. FIFA also plans to pay each host city $1 million to support community soccer projects in the future. When FIFA announced its unprecedented prize pool for the Club World Cup in March, it also said it will not retain any profits from the tournament. While previous editions of the Club World Cup predominantly featured seven teams, FIFA hopes the expanded 2025 Club World Cup sets a new standard for club soccer globally and can become a tournament held every four years one year before World Cups. 'As for every new venture that anyone tries to create in the world, there are always discussions that you never really know what will happen. … For us, the important element is to fill the stadiums, to give opportunities to people to come,' Infantino said. 'We were lucky enough – and this is also something that we did not expect in that measure – that we got great attention from sponsors and brokers broadcasters so that when it comes to revenues, everything is perfectly secured.' The Club World Cup will host matches in Atlanta, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando, Nashville, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Seattle and Washington D.C. The final is July 13 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Wednesday marks one year until the next World Cup begins on June 11, 2026. That event will be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The biggest stories, every morning. Stay up-to-date on all the key sports developments by subscribing to USA TODAY Sports' newsletter.


New York Times
37 minutes ago
- New York Times
Thomas Tuchel says ‘no need to panic' for England after Senegal defeat
Thomas Tuchel insists there is no need for England to panic after losing 3-1 at home to Senegal in Tuesday night's friendly. Harry Kane gave England an eighth-minute lead but goals from Ismaila Sarr, Habib Diarra and Cheikh Sabaly gave Pape Thiaw's side a deserved victory. Tuchel, 51, had guided England to victories in their World Cup qualification group over Albania, Latvia and Andorra in his opening three matches, but the German coach's 100 per cent winning record was ended at the City Ground in Nottingham. Advertisement 'We lost a test match, so there's no need to panic,' Tuchel said after the game. 'We have played three qualification games, we have nine points and and not conceded. We will be competitive in September and we will go for two more victories 100 per cent. 'We know more now. We are smarter. It is tough at the moment. I'm the first one to hate losses like, like nothing else. But we don't go next week to the World Cup. 'We go in one year, and I think by nature it will get more competitive in the qualification process and in the demands for the players to be selected and to be with us in September, October, November.' Tuchel was quizzed on why striker Ivan Toney was not introduced until the 88th minute, replacing left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly, despite starting No 9 Harry Kane being replaced in the 58th minute by Morgan Rogers. 'No it was too early,' Tuchel said of Toney not being introduced around the hour mark. 'We wanted to play there with Morgan Rogers — more fluid, much more physical player. I think it was too early for Toney because the game was so physical. 'We were not close enough to the goal consistently to get his strengths into play. That is my view of the game.' England return to action at home to Andorra on September 6 before an away game in Serbia three days later. (Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)


New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
Liverpool and Leverkusen in final stages of Florian Wirtz transfer negotiations
Negotiations between Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen over a deal taking Florian Wirtz to Anfield are in the final stages, with the clubs speaking daily as they try to reach an agreement. Liverpool made an improved second offer for the 22–year-old Germany playmaker last week worth around €134million (£113m), with about €118.7m (£100m) guaranteed. Advertisement This proposal was not rejected as such and talks continue in order to settle on a package that is acceptable to both sides, but Liverpool have no intention to bid as high as the reported €150m (£126.4m) asking price for the attacking midfielder. The discussions — led by Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes and Leverkusen managing director of sport Simon Rolfes — are now mainly focused on the structure and specifically payment terms, plus the nature of any add-ons. A medical has also yet to be arranged. The first part of this summer's transfer window, created for the Club World Cup, has now closed and will not reopen until June 16, giving time for both clubs to agree the finer details of this agreement. The magnitude of the transfer, allied to Leverkusen not specifically needing a trade and Liverpool wanting to work within their parameters, explains why the parties are going into such detail over the situation and it is taking understandable time and patience to find a resolution. There is a level of respect within the dialogue that should produce an amicable outcome for what would be Liverpool's record signing and Leverkusen's biggest sale. There is, meanwhile, a possible departure from Merseyside in the form of Darwin Nunez. Al Hilal contacted Liverpool about the Uruguay striker on Monday and the Saudi Pro League team were made aware about the conditions of a move. Liverpool rejected a proposal worth €70m from Al Nassr in January and that sets a minimum bar if an exit is to materialise. Nunez is thought to favour staying in Europe — Spain and Italy being a priority. Atletico Madrid are among those considering the forward. The 25-year-old has scored 40 goals across three seasons at Anfield since joining from Benfica in 2022. (James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)