Manchester City transfer news has taken a fresh turn after Juventus revived their interest in Rayan Ait-Nouri during the September international break. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus directors reopened contact after an earlier conversation at the end of August.
Ait-Nouri had already considered leaving City because he feared limited opportunities under Enzo Maresca. That concern has become reality. He has yet to play in the Premier League this season, with 105 club minutes across two appearances. He played the full 90 minutes against Norwich City in the Carabao Cup and added two assists. Then, against Porto in the Champions League, he played 15 minutes and supplied another assist.
Three assists from such limited involvement stand out. However, Juventus are interested because they believe Ait-Nouri could provide a natural left-footed option on the flank. La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Juventus currently sit in pole position for January and is discussing a loan, potentially with an option to buy. He had already been open to Juventus in August.
Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti wants a natural left-footer who can give Andrea Cambiaso competition while allowing Zeki Celik to return to the right side. Juventus have used a three-man defence as another option, which could give Ait-Nouri a role better suited to his attacking instincts.
Manchester City transfer news: Should Manchester City let Rayan Ait-Nouri leave in January?
Yes, but City should protect the value of the deal rather than accept a simple loan. A mandatory £35m purchase clause would make more sense if Juventus agree to that structure.
City signed Ait-Nouri from Wolves for a reported £31m on a contract through 2030. Before joining City, he produced four Premier League goals and seven assists in 2024/25, showing why the club invested in him.
His current season tells a strange story. Three assists from 105 minutes is excellent attacking production, yet his defensive numbers remain limited because he has barely played. Rayan Ait-Nouri’s strength comes from driving forward, stretching the pitch and delivering crosses at speed. Those qualities become less useful in a system that asks the full-back to move inside.
Keeping a 25-year-old international on the bench wastes a player with proven Premier League output. At the same time, a basic loan could leave City without control over his next step after January.
City therefore have a strong reason to seek a permanent commitment. His contract runs until 2030, so there is no need to sell cheaply. A £35m obligation would recover more than the reported initial £31m fee and give City funds for another specialist full-back if Maresca wants a different profile.
Juventus can offer something City currently can’t, and those are meaningful minutes. For Ait-Nouri, that could matter more than a place on a Premier League bench. Manchester City transfer news around the Algerian now hinges on whether Maresca gives him a bigger role after the international break.
