Manchester United’s long-standing interest in Rayan Ait-Nouri is set to be dealt a decisive blow as Manchester City are “pursuing a deal” to sign the 23-year-old fullback, according to reports.
United have been linked with a move for Ait-Nouri on multiple occasions in recent years with the Algerian international’s outstanding technical ability catching the eye of many top clubs.
But the Red Devils’ interest in the 23-year-old defender received a lightening bolt after the arrival of Ruben Amorim from Sporting CP in November.
The Portuguese coach’s 3-4-2-1- system is heavily reliant upon the wing-backs to provide a constant attacking outlet in the opposition half. Without this, the formation very quickly morphs into a negative one, with the team bottom heavy defensively and lacking a real sense of threat in the forward areas.
A new left wing-back was identified as urgent in the January transfer window, despite the club’s limited budget, and Ait-Nouri was again selected as a potential antidote after his impressive performances at Molineux in the same system.
Amorim was reported to have personally approved the 23-year-old as a “priority signing” given neither of the existing left-backs at Old Trafford – Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia – were capable of providing the 40-year-old coach with the profile he needed.
However, the transfer likely proved too costly and Lecce defender Patrick Dorgu was signed instead in a deal worth an initial £25 million. A successful pursuit of Ait-Nouri would have cost far in excess of this amount to prise him away from Wolves midway through the season.
Dorgu has featured in virtually every match since his arrival from Italy. But the Danish international lacks the technical ability to match his excellent physical attributes, and United’s attack has suffered when the 20-year-old gains possession in the opposition half.
There is a sense that a player like Ait-Nouri, who offers far more on the ball than Dorgu, despite not being able to replicate his strengths off it, would have been a much more effective signing for United. And this sense of regret could be set to increase with the club’s local rival entering negotiations to sign the Wolves defender after identifying him as their “top target” in defence this summer, as per David Ornstein (The Athletic).
Ornstein reveals, “Manchester City are pursuing a deal to sign Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolverhampton Wanderers. Agreements still need to be reached between the clubs and with the 23-year-old — however all parties now expect a move to happen.
“Ait-Nouri has emerged as City’s top target to strengthen at left-back after four impressive seasons since joining Wolves on a permanent basis, which followed a loan spell, from Angers.”
This is corroborated by Italian transfer guru Fabrizio Romano who contends City are “very confident” the deal will happen with “talks to advance soon”.
United have already performed their own successful raid on Molineux to sign Brazilian international Matheus Cunha in a £62.5 million deal. But there is a lingering doubt that a double deal to bring his teammate with him could have proved transformative to the left-hand side of Amorim’s team.
Featured image Naomi Baker via Getty Images
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
