Rayan Aït-Nouri has endured what could fairly be called a turbulent few months at Manchester City, and the club’s left-back has now made another change behind the scenes as speculation grows over his long-term future at the Etihad Stadium.
According to French-Algerian outlet DZ Foot, the 25-year-old has “experienced a number of upheavals recently” and this could lead to a move away from the Premier League side, following the latest decision by those managing his career.
A difficult start turns worse under Maresca
Aït-Nouri arrived at City from Wolves in the summer of 2025 in a deal worth around £36.3m, signing a five-year contract after a standout campaign at Molineux. On joining, the defender said: “I am incredibly happy and honoured to have joined Manchester City.”
Director of football Hugo Viana added that the club had been monitoring him “for quite some time” before completing the deal.
That optimism, however, has not translated into regular football. His debut season was disrupted by an ankle injury and his involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations with Algeria. Guardiola ultimately preferred Nico O’Reilly in the role, restricting Aït-Nouri to 1,605 minutes across 28 appearances.
The change of head coach this summer has done little to improve matters. Enzo Maresca, who replaced Guardiola as City boss, has continued to favour O’Reilly at left-back, leaving Aït-Nouri with just 15 minutes of Premier League football so far this season and a single additional outing in the EFL Cup.
Reports in Italy suggest Juventus have renewed their interest in the player after his limited involvement under Maresca, with a temporary move in January seen as a possible solution for all parties.
His international career has also hit a rocky patch. During a recent qualifier, Algeria’s coaching staff reportedly called him up to come on only to change their mind, before summoning him again later in the match.
Third change of representation in two years
Off the pitch, Aït-Nouri’s commercial situation has shifted just as dramatically as his footballing one. He was first spotted as an 18-year-old by super-agent Jorge Mendes, who brought him from Angers to Wolves and has long represented Cristiano Ronaldo.
Aït-Nouri later severed that relationship to join CAA Stellar, the agency that brokered his move to Manchester City.
Now, DZ Foot reports that the defender and his entourage have switched representation for a second time, entrusting his career to Epic Sports, the agency led by Ali Barat.
The move comes as his Transfermarkt valuation has dropped from €40m to €35m following a season described by the outlet as “mediocre.”
Barat’s agency has previous experience negotiating Premier League moves, having been involved in deals taking players between some of English football’s biggest clubs.
DZ Foot states that the “conditions of a potential transfer are becoming clearer,” language widely read as a signal that Aït-Nouri is now actively looking for a route out of the club.
Whether that means a temporary departure in January or a more permanent exit next summer remains unclear, and City’s hierarchy will have their own view on whether to sanction a sale so soon after investing heavily in the player.
