(Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Rayan Ait-Nouri’s camp is exploring a move away for the outcast Manchester City star in January.
According to TeamTalk, talks have already been held with potential suitors via intermediaries, with Manchester United contacted to gauge their interest.
Rayan Ait-Nouri: The state of play
LEEDS, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 28: Rayan Ait-Nouri of Manchester City arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Leeds United and Manchester City at Elland Road on February 28, 2026 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
The Red Devils are expected to be in the market for a full-back mid-season following setbacks to Luke Shaw and Patrick Dorgu, though it remains to be seen if the two Manchester rivals would do business with one another.
Ait-Nouri fits the bill of what INEOS would want; he’s only 25 years old and has ample Premier League experience thanks to his spells with City and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Enjoy this smooth piece of footwork from Rayan Ait-Nouri 🤩 🔵 @ManCity pic.twitter.com/dpOoHZe030 — Premier League (@premierleague) April 15, 2026
In fact, United established their interest in loaning the Algerian in the dying embers of the summer window, but nothing materialised.
How is Ait-Nouri faring with the Blues?
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 17: Rayan Ait-Nouri of Manchester City during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Manchester City and Norwich City at Etihad Stadium on September 17, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Now that he is facing an uphill battle for game time at the Etihad, Ait-Nouri is pushing for a winter exit.
He has yet to feature in the league under Enzo Maresca this term, leaving his only appearances to come in the League Cup and Champions League, where he has featured four times in total.
Even so, the defender has started only once; in a 5-0 cup win over Norwich City back in September, where he recorded two assists.
L’impact de Rayan Aït-Nouri 🇩🇿 pic.twitter.com/kF24VJv6ik — Manchester City (@ManCityFra) October 14, 2026
Ait-Nouri came off the bench last night for the second half of City’s last-16 Carabao Cup clash with Brighton and Hove Albion, and played for the second half plus the penalty shootout.
Maresca has already publicly expressed that the former Molineux ace ranks below his counterparts.
“He’s a clear full-back. In that position, we have Josko [Gvardiol], who is doing fantastic; we have Nico [O’Reilly], who, when he is fit, is doing fantastic; and he’s in the same position so it’s just competition between them,” said the City boss.
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - MARCH 20: Michael Carrick, Manager of Manchester United, looks on prior to the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Manchester United at Vitality Stadium on March 20, 2026 in Bournemouth, England.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 12: Michael Carrick, Manager of Manchester United, looks on during the training session ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD2 at Carrington Training Ground on October 12, 2026 in Manchester, England.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Pundit and former football player Peter Schmeichel looks on before the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Manchester United and Sabah FC at Old Trafford on September 10, 2026 in Manchester, England.
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