Left-Back Uncertainty Looms Over Etihad
The final days of the transfer window are shaping up to be anxious ones for Manchester City supporters, with reports emerging that Juventus have set their sights on Rayan Ait-Nouri. The Algerian defender, who arrived at the Etihad from Wolverhampton Wanderers for £36.3 million last summer, has been identified by the Serie A side as a potential late move.
According to reports, Juventus are keen to strengthen their left defensive flank, with Real Madrid's Alvaro Carreras also on their radar. Ait-Nouri is seen as a pivot point if their pursuit of other targets fails to progress before the deadline, which sits close to a week and a half away.
It's a situation that has City fans watching nervously, given the club's recent departures. Rodri was officially unveiled as a Barcelona player earlier this week after completing a £65.4 million switch to Camp Nou, leaving a gap in the middle of the park. Now, the prospect of losing a first-team left-back has added to the sense of unease.
Ait-Nouri's first season at City was a mixed affair. He made 28 appearances across all competitions, with 20 starts, contributing four assists, 21 interceptions, and 28 tackles won. Those numbers suggest a player who was finding his feet under Pep Guardiola, albeit without ever fully cementing a regular starting berth.
If he were to leave, City would be left with limited cover on the left side of defence. Nico O'Reilly and Josko Gvardiol are the only other prime candidates to fill in, with O'Reilly having started in an attacking central role during the Premier League opening weekend win over Bournemouth. It's a scenario that would test the squad's depth ahead of a long season.
With the deadline approaching, the coming days will reveal whether Juventus's interest translates into a formal bid. For now, City fans can only wait and hope that a key defensive option remains in blue.