English Premier League
Manchester United end Rayan Ait-Nouri move after rejecting compulsory purchase clause
Manchester United have withdrawn from a proposed deal for Manchester City left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri after refusing to accept a condition requiring them to sign the Algeria international permanently at the end of a loan spell.
The move was discussed during the final hours of the summer transfer window, with United making an urgent approach to their local rivals to ask about the possibility of taking Ait-Nouri on loan.
Journalist Ben Jacobs reported on X, citing talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook, that Manchester United had made an initial enquiry for the 25-year-old. The report said United’s interest in Ait-Nouri was genuine, although it was initially 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.#MCFC believe a deal is unlikely.🇩🇿With@SamC_reportsand@alex_crookfor…pic.twitter.com/nDzFkPtdD5
However, Sky Sports reports that discussions did not progress after the two clubs disagreed over the structure of the proposed transfer. Manchester United were unwilling to include an obligation to buy Ait-Nouri outright when the loan ended.
United are understood to prefer delaying a significant investment at left-back until next summer, when they could pursue a longer-term solution. In the meantime, Luke Shaw is expected to continue establishing himself in the position.
Ait-Nouri made only 17 Premier League appearances for Manchester City last season after joining the club from Wolverhampton Wanderers for £32m last summer. His limited involvement has contributed to uncertainty over his position in the squad, particularly given the competition for the left-back role.
Manchester City can also use Josko Gvardiol, Nico O’Reilly and Rico Lewis in that area of the pitch. Ait-Nouri therefore faces a strong battle for regular playing time within Pep Guardiola’s team.
That uncertainty around his future increased following Guardiola’s departure, adding to speculation that the Algeria defender could leave Manchester City before the close of the window.
United’s approach represented a late and unexpected attempt to strengthen at left-back, but the club ultimately chose not to proceed without the preferred terms. The failure to reach an agreement means Ait-Nouri remains a Manchester City player, while United will continue with their existing options in the position and reassess the area next summer.
