Manchester United walk away from Rayan Ait-Nouri deal over compulsory purchase condition

Manchester United have abandoned their attempt to sign Manchester City left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri after refusing a proposed loan arrangement that would have required them to buy the Algeria international permanently.

The move emerged as a surprise development during the final hours of the summer transfer window, with United making an urgent approach to their neighbours to ask about the availability of the 25-year-old defender.

Journalist Ben Jacobs, writing on X, cited talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook as reporting that Manchester United had made an initial enquiry for Ait-Nouri. The approach was understood to reflect genuine interest in the player.

🚨 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.#MCFCbelieve a deal is unlikely.🇩🇿With@SamC_reportsand@alex_crookfor…pic.twitter.com/nDzFkPtdD5

However, according to Sky Sports, negotiations did not progress after the two clubs disagreed over the structure of the proposed transfer. Manchester United were not prepared to accept a clause compelling them to complete a permanent purchase when the loan spell ended.

United’s preference is to postpone significant investment in the left-back position until next summer, when they intend to pursue a long-term solution. That approach would also allow Luke Shaw to continue establishing himself on the left side of the defence.

Ait-Nouri joined Manchester City from Wolverhampton Wanderers for £32m last summer, but made only 17 Premier League appearances for the club during the previous campaign.

The Algeria international has faced strong competition for the left-back role at Manchester City. Josko Gvardiol, Nico O’Reilly and Rico Lewis are all capable of operating in that position, limiting Ait-Nouri’s opportunities in the team.

Questions over his future had already increased following the departure of manager Pep Guardiola. The uncertainty surrounding his place in the squad contributed to Manchester United’s late enquiry, although the proposed terms ultimately prevented the deal from being completed.

Manchester City are understood to have believed that a transfer was unlikely after United’s initial approach, while it remained unclear whether discussions would advance during the evening of deadline day.

The decision means Manchester United will not make a late move for Ait-Nouri and will instead continue with their existing options on the left until they reassess the position during the next summer transfer window.