Man City first-teamer’s agents ‘doing everything they can’ to seal Jan move amid concrete Man Utd interest

Rayan Ait-Nouri’s representatives are doing their utmost to ensure the player can leave Manchester City this winter.

The full-back has fallen almost entirely out of favour since Enzo Maresca took the reins, prompting him to explore a new venture mid-season.

How Ait-Nouri is faring

Ait-Nouri has yet to even feature in the Premier League since 2026/2027 got underway, making it no surprise he is ready to call it quits at the Etihad.

Instead, his only appearances have come in the League Cup and the Champions League, though he has still totalled just 168 minutes of action across both competitions.

Maresca previously explained the logic behind his continued omissions of the defender, saying: “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.”

What’s being said about Ait-Nouri?

Meanwhile, Manchester United hold concrete interest in Ait-Nouri.

They reportedly pursued an 11th-hour loan move in the dying embers of the summer window but saw their attempts rebuffed by City.

A new left-back will be imperative in January due to Luke Shaw’s continued absence and Patrick Dorgu navigating injury setbacks of his own, and Ait-Nouri undoubtedly fits the bill.

The 25-year-old boasts six seasons’ worth of Premier League experience thanks to his time with City and, for five years, Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Weighing in on his situation in the lead-up to the window reopening, sources close to Ait-Nouri said (as per L’Equipe): “Everything is being done to try and leave this winter. The player remains highly regarded in England and beyond.

“We need to find the best possible solution with Man City. He can’t stay in this situation where his talent is being wasted.”