Manchester City's Algerian left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri could exit the club in January, reports have claimed in recent times. In a fresh development, it has emerged that defending La Liga champions Barcelona are also interested in the full-back.
United's desperate hunt for a left-back means Ait-Nouri and Barcelona's Alejandro Balde are the two realistic options before them. Both players are unsettled at their respective current clubs due to limited opportunities. They are both looking for a way out and consider United a potential destination.
According to the latest report, Manchester United's interest in Balde is the primary reason Barcelona are looking to sign Ait-Nouri. The Catalans are reportedly looking to sign the former Wolves player as a replacement for Balde, Caught Offside said in a report. Also, City would prefer to ship off their player to another league rather than let their arch-rivals claim him.
The €35 million-valued left-back is contracted to City until 2030, but is desperate for a move due to a lack of opportunities. The story is not very different for Balde in Catalonia. Barcelona are cruising, but the 23-year-old has only had 101 minutes domestically and another 16 minutes in the Champions League.
Xavi Espart and Joao Cancelo are preferred over him any day by Flick, and Barca are open to discussing a loan deal for the youngster, TEAMtalk said in a report.
Quoting Spanish journalist Juan Jesus, the website claimed that Balde remains on the club's "for sale" list, and even injuries to Flick's favourite full-backs cannot guarantee him a place in the project. Balde is disappointed by this development and no longer enjoys a cordial bond with the manager—presenting a golden opportunity for the Red Devils.
But this also raises some eyebrows. If Balde is so far down the pecking order, why would Ait-Nouri agree to become his replacement? Why should he agree to a transfer if his status as a benchwarmer remains unchanged? It is almost certain that the 25-year-old will not say yes to a deal before gaining clarity on Hansi Flick's project and his place in it.
