Rayan Ait-Nouri's Manchester City future is in doubt as Juventus renew their interest in the left-back with an initial loan move in January, according to new reports from Italy.
Rayan Ait-Nouri could leave Manchester City on loan in January,
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Ait-Nouri's switch to Manchester City has not gone to plan so far. Signed from Wolves for £31 million in June 2025, the Algerian arrived as an established top-flight operator and the deal was widely regarded as shrewd business at the time.
Fifteen months on, the picture looks rather different. A series of niggling injuries are partly to blame, but so is the emergence of Nico O'Reilly, who surprised fans by nailing down a place as City's starting left-back for most of Pep Guardiola's final season.
That leaves Ait-Nouri in a difficult position. The full-back has managed just 33 appearances for the club and is yet to be handed any Premier League action this season, having clocked up fewer than 1,000 league minutes across the whole of the last campaign - a lack of game time that has fuelled talk of a move away, with Serie A the likeliest destination.
Rayan Ait-Nouri is being lined up for a Manchester City exit in January after having been on the fringes of Enzo Maresca's Premier League plans since his arrival at the Etihad Stadium, as per a new report.cityxtra.co.ukRevealed: Ait-Nouri Explored Potential Man City Exit Before Deadline Day Man United Approach
Rayan Ait-Nouri is being lined up for a Manchester City exit in January after having been on the fringes of Enzo Maresca's Premier League plans since his arrival at the Etihad Stadium, as per a new report.
Juventus Renew Interest in Ait-Nouri
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus pushed hard to sign Ait-Nouri late in the summer window, with the player himself said to have been receptive to the idea before the deal ultimately fell through.
The Italian giants have not given up, however, and have reopened dialogue with the defender's representatives as they explore a fresh attempt to land him.
According to the report, Ait-Nouri would welcome a switch in January, and Juventus are weighing up an initial loan arrangement - with a purchase option attached - for a player described as desperate to establish himself as a regular starter somewhere.
A key factor is the situation of Juan Cabal. The Colombian's decision to remain in Turin over the summer is said to have blocked an earlier move for the City man, but with Cabal now considered far more likely to depart in the new year, a path could open up for Ait-Nouri to finally get his move.
A Parting of Ways That Suits Both Sides
From a City perspective, an exit would make plenty of sense. The Algerian's early promise at Wolves has faded during his time at the Etihad Stadium, and Enzo Maresca does not appear to view him as part of his plans, with the left-back yet to be trusted with a single league minute this term.
A move to Juventus would offer him a fresh start and the prospect of far more regular football, even if a guaranteed starting berth is not assured. Andrea Cambiaso is the first-choice at left-back when fit, with Zeki Celik having deputised during the Italian's current injury absence, so Ait-Nouri would still have work to do to nail down a spot.
There is time for the situation to develop, too, with the report noting that other clubs could yet enter the frame over the coming weeks. As things stand, though, Juventus appear to be leading the race, and a January departure looks an increasingly plausible outcome for a signing that never quite took off in Manchester.