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Rayan Ait-Nouri of Wolverhampton Wanderers reacts during a Wolverhampton Wanderers Training Session at The Sir Jack Hayward Training Ground (Image: 2025 Wolverhampton Wanderers FC)

It has been a busy start to the summer for both Liverpool and Manchester City as the Premier League title rivals both look to improve their squads.

The Reds have already signed Jeremie Frimpong in a £29.5m switch from Bayer Leverkusen and goalkeeper Armin Pecsi in a deal worth up to £1.5m from Puskas Akademia.

Liverpool are also looking to close in on the signing of Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen as they look to iron out the final details in what will be a club-record deal, worth an initial £100m.

Meanwhile, the Reds also remain confident of striking a deal for Milos Kerkez with the club in direct contact with AFC Bournemouth as transfer talks continue.

READ MORE:Andy Robertson gives Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez Liverpool transfer verdict and contract updateREAD MORE:Liverpool have new transfer priority as shock target emerges to end long-term search

Man City have been even busier to date, having needed to complete their initial summer business before 7pm on Tuesday (June 10) in order for their new signings to compete in the group stages of the inaugural expanded FIFA Club World Cup.

Pep Guardiola’s side brought in four new signings ahead of the tournament as they landed Rayan Ait-Nouri, Marcus Bettinelli, Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders for a combined outlay of roughly £117m.

Liverpool had held talks with Cherki themselves after Arne Slot met with the France international at the end of last month.

However, the Reds head coach was honouring a meeting that had been arranged prior to the club ramping up their interest in Wirtz.

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In the market for a new left-back, Liverpool had been regularly linked with a move from Ait-Nouri from Wolves during the past season while City in turn were also said to be interested in Kerkez.

But Guardiola’s side ultimately ended up moving for the Algerian instead, with Slot’s men favouring Kerkez.

But one of Ait-Nouri’s former team-mates has now admitted their surprise at the left-back moving to the Etihad, admitting he had thought he would sign for Liverpool instead.

“Rayan was a good listener, a hard worker, and aware that talent isn't enough to reach the highest level,” Abdoulaye Bamba, who played with Ait-Nouri at Angers before his switch to Wolves, told Africa Foot.

He still lacked experience, but joining the Premier League from Angers was a wise move.

We often see young players leave too early for very big clubs and disappear off the radar.

“At Wolverhampton, he had time to develop, discover the demands of the English league, and establish himself as a regular.

If he wanted to recruit him, it's because he truly believes in his potential.

“Ait-Nouri will play in a team that plays at the forefront, whether in the Premier League or the Champions League.
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