Manchester United are reportedly making progress in their efforts to sign Manchester City left-back Rayan Aït-Nouri ahead of the January transfer window.
The 25-year-old defender is open to leaving the Etihad Stadium in search of regular playing time, with Manchester United emerging as a serious option for his next move.
The devils are interested in bringing the Algeria international to Old Trafford as they look to strengthen their defensive options. They are also looking at the future with the likes of Luke Shaw and Dalot likely to leave the club.
Personal terms are not expected to be a problem, as Aït-Nouri is believed to be open to joining the Red Devils.
The former Wolverhampton Wanderers defender has struggled to secure regular minutes at Manchester City since arriving from Wolves in the summer of 2025.
Competition for places has made things difficult for the left-back, with Josko Gvardiol and Nico O’Reilly ahead of him in the pecking order.
His limited opportunities have reportedly increased his desire to find a new club where he can play more regularly.
Manchester United previously explored the possibility of signing Aït-Nouri on deadline day during the summer transfer window.
However, the move failed to happen after City reportedly insisted on a loan deal that included an obligation to buy, an arrangement United were unwilling to accept.
Now, with the January transfer window approaching, United appear ready to revisit their interest in the 25-year-old.
However, completing a deal could still prove difficult because of the rivalry between Manchester United and Manchester City.
Reports from TheMatchDayHQ suggest that the relationship between the two clubs remains the biggest obstacle to an agreement.
City are also unlikely to make negotiations easy for their local rivals, meaning United may have to work hard to reach an acceptable deal.
Aït-Nouri could be an important addition to Michael Carrick’s squad, especially as United continue to look for more quality and depth at left-back.
The defender has already shown his attacking qualities in the Premier League, and his ability to carry the ball, beat opponents and support attacks could make him a useful option at Old Trafford.
No official agreement has been announced between the two clubs. However, Manchester United’s interest is growing, and Aït-Nouri’s future is one to watch when the January transfer window opens.
The whole interest for now remain as rumor without any official confirmation from the player or either clubs that an ongoing talk in taking place to agree on a move in January.
