Manchester City have acted quickly to strengthen their already star-studded squad ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, with Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders all joining the Citizens in this week. Veteran goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli has also signed from Chelsea FC following the departure of Scott Carson.
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Ait-Nouri arrives from fellow Premier League outfit Wolves following five years with the Old Gold. The 24-year-old is comfortable at both left-back and left-wing back and has been consistently impressive over the past two seasons, netting four and assisting ten times in 70 Premier League matches.
“Rayan is a player that as a Club we have been following closely for quite some time and we are delighted he has joined us,” Director of Football Hugo Viana told the club’s website on Monday. “He already has extensive Premier League experience and has also demonstrated his quality at international level with Algeria.”
A day later, City confirmed the capture of Cherki from boyhood club Lyon. An exciting attacking talent, the 21-year-old has long dazzled fans with his exceptional skills and technique, but took his game to the next level during the current campaign. In 44 matches in all competitions, he contributed to 32 goals – the most in Lyon’s squad.
“We’re very happy to have Rayan at City,” Viana said. “We want to bring top talent to the club, and he falls into that category. “He’s a player our scouts have watched for a long time, and we have all been impressed with his skill and creativity. I am convinced our fans will be excited to see him play.”
Reijnders made it a hat-trick of exciting additions by officially joining from AC Milan on Wednesday. The 26-year-old, who has 23 caps for the Netherlands, was one of the Rossoneri’s star players last term, scoring 15 and assisting five from central midfield and helping the club win the Supercoppa Italiana.
“City are one of the biggest teams in the world, with the best coach, world-class players and outstanding facilities,” Reijnders said. “Under Pep Guardiola, City have won so many titles, and I want to help keep that going with a lot more success in the coming years. It is also a dream come true to play in the Premier League. This league has seen many of the best Dutch players perform through the years and it’s an inspiration to follow in their footsteps. ”
City have also acquired the services of 33-year-old goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli from Chelsea following four years with the Stamford Bridge club. Away from the pitch, Pep Guardiola has strengthened his coaching staff, hiring former Liverpool assistant Pepijn Lijnders into the same role, while James French joins as set-piece coach.
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The Citizens will start their Club World Cup campaign at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field to face Tunisian titans Wydad AC on 18 June. Four days later they’ll then travel to Atlanta to take on Al Ain FC at Mercedez-Benz Stadium, before finishing up their Group G campaign on 26 June against fellow European heavyweights Juventus FC.
