Manchester United have withdrawn from discussions over a possible move for Manchester City left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri after the clubs disagreed over the terms of a proposed loan deal.
The approach came during the final hours of the summer transfer window, with United making urgent contact with their local rivals to ask about the availability of the Algeria international.
Journalist Ben Jacobs, citing talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook on X, reported that Manchester United had made an initial enquiry for Ait-Nouri. The interest in the 25-year-old defender was described as genuine, although it was unclear whether negotiations would develop before the transfer deadline.
🚨 BREAKING: Manchester United have made a deadline day enquiry for Manchester City left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri.Unclear if talks are going to progress this evening following an initial approach.#MCFCbelieve a deal is unlikely.🇩🇿With@SamC_reportsand@alex_crookfor…pic.twitter.com/nDzFkPtdD5
However, Sky Sports reported that United subsequently decided against pursuing the transfer because they did not accept a condition in the proposed agreement. Manchester City wanted the deal to include an obligation for United to buy Ait-Nouri permanently once a loan spell had ended.
United were not prepared to commit to that arrangement and instead prefer to delay a major investment in the position until next summer. The club’s intention is understood to be finding a long-term solution at left-back, while Luke Shaw continues to establish himself in that role.
Ait-Nouri joined Manchester City from Wolverhampton Wanderers for £32m last summer, but he made only 17 Premier League appearances for the club during the previous season.
Competition for the left-back position has remained strong at Manchester City. Josko Gvardiol, Nico O’Reilly and Rico Lewis can all operate in that area, reducing the Algerian’s certainty of regular first-team football.
Uncertainty over Ait-Nouri’s position at the club had already increased following the departure of manager Pep Guardiola. His limited Premier League involvement and the number of players capable of covering the role contributed to speculation about whether his future would remain at Manchester City.
United’s late enquiry was therefore a notable development in the closing stages of the window, particularly because it involved a player already contracted to their neighbours. But the disagreement over the permanent-transfer obligation prevented the move from progressing, leaving United to continue with their existing options and revisit the position next summer.
