FC Barcelona monitoring Rayan Aït-Nouri amid potential Balde departure

FC Barcelona are monitoring the situation of Algerian Rayan Aït-Nouri, a Manchester City full-back, in preparation for a potential signing in January, should Balde leave during the winter transfer window.

Spanish newspaper "Sport" reported that the 25-year-old player is not getting enough playing opportunities with Manchester City under Enzo Maresca, making him open to leaving to regain his role.

Rayan Aït-Nouri has joined the English team in the summer of 2025 from Wolverhampton for around €36 million, attracting the interest of FC Barcelona due to his attacking abilities and skills in advancing the ball and creating numerical superiority.

However, the deal faces an obstacle related to the terms set by Manchester City, who welcome a loan but prefer to include a clause that obliges the borrowing club to purchase him next June, which may not suit FC Barcelona's financial situation.

FC Barcelona is monitoring the future of Balde to determine its needs at left-back, while Manchester United and Juventus are also keeping an eye on Aït-Nouri's situation, awaiting the possibility of his departure from Manchester City.