Rayan Aït-Nouri may miss Algeria’s upcoming match against Rwanda as transfer talks with Manchester City gather pace, with reports suggesting the left-back has departed the national team’s training camp to undergo a medical.
While Algeria are preparing for friendlies against Rwanda on Thursday and Sweden on 10 June in Stockholm, speculation surrounds Aït-Nouri’s availability.
His potential absence, however, is not related to injury—unlike teammates Kévin Guitoun and Himad Abdelli—but rather a pivotal career development.
Journaliste Athman Taibi :
Ait Nouri va passer sa visite médicale avec Man City demain
Il a quitté le regroupement de l’EN pic.twitter.com/48iIcgExZQ
— Paradou Ac Talents (@Paradoutalents) June 5, 2025
According to journalist Athman Taibi, the Wolverhampton Wanderers defender has left the national team’s camp to take the next step in sealing a move to Manchester City.
The 23-year-old is reportedly close to completing a transfer that could be one of the most high-profile deals involving an Algerian player this summer.
Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the deal is set at around €40 million.
However, he clarified that Aït-Nouri’s medical with Manchester City is scheduled for Saturday.
That delay introduces uncertainty over whether the player might still feature in Thursday’s fixture against Rwanda.
Journalist Chebli Ishaq noted earlier in the day that Aït-Nouri was still present with the team, but with such a significant move on the line, any participation on the pitch would carry risk—particularly of injury.
Should Aït-Nouri sit out, it may present an opportunity for Jaouen Hadjam to step into the spotlight.
The Young Boys Bern defender, who enjoyed an impressive season in Switzerland and has previously expressed admiration for clubs like Paris Saint-Germain, could be in line for valuable minutes.
Aït-Nouri’s potential switch to Manchester City would mark a dramatic leap in his career.
Contrairement à ce qui était dit, Aït Nouri était présent avec le groupe de l’EN ce matin. pic.twitter.com/OMrKkrODTP
— Chebli Ishaq (@IshaqChebli) June 5, 2025
After an outstanding season at Wolves, where he registered four goals, seven assists, and 35 starts in the Premier League, the French-born Algerian has emerged as one of the most consistent full-backs in English football.
His performances have stood out, even amid the broader struggles of his club.
Demonstrating his ambition, Aït-Nouri recently changed representation, joining the influential CAA Stellar agency—an early sign of his intent to reach the next level.
With 17 international caps under his belt, he is now poised for a move that not only elevates his career but also adds to Algeria’s growing presence in top-tier European football.