Barcelona eyes a market opportunity in the Premier League
The Catalan team is looking to improve its defense, and there is a footballer in the English competition who is liked by both Deco and Flick.
Rayan Aït-Nouri, left-back of 25 years from Manchester City, is among the options being considered by FC Barcelona for the upcoming winter market if Alejandro Balde leaves the club. The English club is considering parting ways with the Algerian but intends to link a potential loan to a later purchase.
Rayan Aït Nouri vs Liverpool The best Left-back in Europe ? 🇩🇿🪄 https://t.co/c6FvbdQLP4
— Shanksuu. 🇩🇿⏳🏴 #23Rotterdam (@Shemsou_23) February 8, 2026
Rayan Aït-Nouri, an alternative conditioned by Alejandro Balde
Balde's future will dictate Barcelona's moves in this position. The academy player is currently the first-choice natural left-back of the squad, and a departure during the January market would force the club to look for a replacement before facing the second half of the season.
In that scenario, Rayan Aït-Nouri emerges as a potential target, a player that the sports management had already been monitoring before his arrival in England. The Algerian can play as a left-back or wing-back and has the ability to advance with the ball and participate in the opposing half, characteristics that fit the type of player the club is seeking for that position.
Aït-Nouri joined Manchester City in the summer of 2025 from Wolverhampton in a deal of around 36 million euros. His contract runs until June 2030, giving the English club room to negotiate his future.The signing that Guardiola wanted for City.
However, his sporting situation has changed this season. The left-back has yet to play a minute in the Premier League 2026/27 and has only participated in Champions League and League Cup matches. His absence from the squad against Nottingham Forest on November 7 has reinforced reports about a possible exit in January.
Manchester City sets conditions for FC Barcelona
The main obstacle for FC Barcelona lies in the structure of the deal. City would be open to considering a loan but wants to ensure a subsequent purchase of the player. This demand had already stalled negotiations during the last market window.
Manchester United inquired about Aït-Nouri before the closing of the summer window in 2026 but decided not to pursue it further because Manchester City required that the loan include a purchase obligation. This precedent shows the conditions that the English club is starting from for January.
For Barça, committing to an investment for June now would diminish the appeal of the operation. The sports management is looking for a solution that allows them to cover a potential Balde exit without immediately incurring a high expense. Therefore, Aït-Nouri's arrival in Spain would depend on both the academy player's situation and whether City relaxes its conditions.
Manchester United and Juventus monitor Aït-Nouri's situation
Barcelona is not alone in the race. Manchester United continues to keep the player on their radar after their previous attempt, while Juventus has also been linked to his situation ahead of the upcoming transfer window.
Another factor is Ali Barat, Aït-Nouri's representative and an agent with direct contact with Deco. They have met in Barcelona over the past few months to discuss various market matters, keeping a channel open between the parties.
The immediate priority for the Barça club will be to resolve Balde's future before moving forward. If an offer arises that prompts his departure from Spain, Rayan Aït-Nouri will gain traction as an alternative for January; at the same time, Manchester United and Juventus will be attentive to the conditions set by City.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El Barcelona se fija en una oportunidad de mercado de la Premier