Barely used by head coach Enzo Maresca at Manchester City, Algeria left-back Rayan Aït-Nouri is reportedly a Manchester United target, according to Sport.fr. Several European clubs are also monitoring the situation ahead of the winter transfer window.
At Manchester City, Rayan Aït-Nouri is making up the numbers. Signed from Wolverhampton in summer 2025 on a five-year deal, the 25-year-old Algeria left-back has not yet played in the Premier League this season, according to Sports Mole. Head coach Enzo Maresca has given him only substitute appearances and starts in the cup, according to FourFourTwo.
That is fuelling speculation about a departure as early as January. According to journalist Graeme Bailey of TEAMtalk, quoted by FourFourTwo on 29 October, the player “is on the verge of leaving Manchester City in January”. The claim remains a rumour: neither the player nor the club have commented publicly.
Manchester United revive their interest
Last summer, a late bid from Manchester United came to nothing, according to Sport.fr. Talks are said to have resumed since. The club is managed by Michael Carrick.
Everton, Italian, Spanish and German clubs, as well as unnamed Champions League contenders, are also monitoring the situation, according to Sport.fr. Of those, only Everton is named.
A valuation of around £30m
According to Sport.fr, City value Aït-Nouri at around £30m and are considering a loan with an obligation to buy or an option tied to playing time.
The head coach has, moreover, given a flattering assessment of his full-back: “He is a real full-back,” according to Sport.fr. A compliment that contrasts with the playing time the player has been given.
The position of his entourage
According to those close to him, quoted by L’Équipe and reported by Sport.fr, Aït-Nouri “cannot stay in a situation where his talent is being wasted”. A remark that commits only his entourage: the player has made no statement in his own name.
He himself remains silent. His substitute appearances and cup starts have not earned him a place in the league starting line-up. Nothing is settled at this stage, and the winter transfer window opens on 1 January.