Signed for around €37m in the summer of 2025, Algeria left-back Rayan Aït-Nouri has played only 168 minutes for Manchester City this season. According to Sport.fr, he would be open to a departure as early as January.
At Manchester City, Rayan Aït-Nouri’s playing time is counted in minutes, not matches. The 25-year-old Algeria international left-back has featured in just four games in all competitions since the start of the campaign, for a total of 168 minutes, Sport.fr reports. In the Premier League, he has not set foot on the pitch.
A meagre return for a player signed by the Citizens for around €37m from Wolverhampton in the summer of 2025. According to the outlet, the situation could lead to a departure as early as the January transfer window, with the player described as open to a change of scenery. For now, this information remains a rumour. The decision rests with Manchester City, where he is under contract until June 2030.
Gvardiol and O’Reilly ahead of him
In head coach Enzo Maresca’s choices, the former Angers player is queuing behind Joško Gvardiol and Nico O’Reilly. That place in the pecking order largely explains the limited playing time highlighted by Sport.fr.
The contrast is stark with the investment made to bring him in from Wolverhampton. Four appearances and 168 minutes later, the return raises questions, with the transfer valued at around €37m.
Manchester United lurking
According to transfer journalist Florian Plettenberg of Sky Sport, cited by Sport.fr, Manchester United are monitoring the full-back’s situation and exploring the possibility of a transfer as early as January. For now, this is information reported by the press and not confirmed.
Also according to that source, the player would be open to a departure, and his personal terms would not be an obstacle. A concrete offer has reportedly already been blocked by Manchester City, who are reluctant to strengthen their neighbours. All of which complicates a deal that does not depend solely on the player’s wishes.
Regaining an important role
At 25, Aït-Nouri wants to regain an important place in a sporting project, Sport.fr says. An Algeria international, he finds himself in a situation where the question of his future is being asked at Manchester City, who have not yet decided.
The January transfer window will therefore be the moment when Manchester City must rule on a possible departure of the left-back they signed for around €37m a little over a year earlier.