According to the Manchester Evening News, Rayan Aït-Nouri could leave Manchester City in the January transfer window.
Enzo Maresca has already given 23 players Premier League appearances this season, but one first-team player has yet to feature in the league. Rayan Aït-Nouri appears destined to leave Manchester City, possibly as early as the January transfer window. The Algerian international has been sidelined this season.
Rayan Aït-Nouri has made three appearances this season, with his only start coming in the League Cup against Championship side Norwich. He has only made brief substitute appearances in Champions League matches against Porto and AEK Athens.
The 25-year-old made 31 appearances for Manchester City in all competitions under Guardiola last season, but his standing has declined since Enzo Maresca took over this summer.
The Italian coach prefers to deploy the former Wolves player as a winger rather than a full-back. Nico O'Reilly and Gvardiol are the primary options at left-back, while competition on the wing is even more intense, with Doku, Iliman Ndiaye, Antoine Semenyo, Foden, and Cherki all capable of playing as wingers. Allan Andrade Elias, Ryan McAidoo, and even Grealish, who joined Everton on loan this summer, have made more Premier League appearances for Manchester City this season than the sidelined Aït-Nouri.
Towards the end of the summer transfer deadline, there were rumours of a surprise loan move to Manchester United, but Manchester City wanted to include a buy option clause, and the transfer ultimately fell through. Manchester United still need a backup left-back for Luke Shaw, and it remains to be seen whether Carrick's team will revive their interest. Aït-Nouri is also likely to attract suitors from across England and other European leagues.
Rayan Aït-Nouri's contract with Manchester City runs until 2030. Manchester City paid £36 million to sign him from Wolves just over a year ago. He impressed at Molineux, and Manchester City completed the transfer to add Premier League experience to their squad, while the player was eager to play under Guardiola at the time.
Guardiola initially held Aït-Nouri in high regard, but after the full-back suffered an injury early in the season, Nico O'Reilly claimed the left-back position and has impressed consistently. O'Reilly has since become a regular starter for Manchester City and England.
Guardiola said of Aït-Nouri last season: "He knows the Premier League, can play on the wing and inside, and can play in different positions. He is here not just for a period, but for the long term."
It remains to be seen whether Aït-Nouri's Manchester City career will last only a few more months.