Manchester City have officially approached the Algerian Football Federation to arrange Rayan Ait-Nouri’s arrival with the national team ahead of 2025 AFCON.
The 2025 African Cup of Nations will commence in the next few weeks and FIFA have ordered all clubs to release invited players before on the 15th of December.
However, according to several English media outlets, including The Athletic, Manchester City want the left-back to join the Algeria national team’s AFCON 2025 training camp two days late, on 17th December instead of 15th.
City’s request is explained by a particularly packed schedule. Between 1st and 17th December, City must play five major matches, including a highly anticipated Champions League clash against Real Madrid.
Rayan Aït-Nouri of Manchester City (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
In this period where every point counts, Guardiola wants to ensure he has Ait-Nouri available, recruited this summer from Wolverhampton and considered an important option down the left flank.
Ait-Nouri has failed to play at the highest level since joining City. He has only played seven official matches, including four as a starter.
Nine encounters have passed him by through injury and he has remained on the bench during four others. However, the heavy schedule in December will require Guardiola to utilize all his players.
According to The Mirror, Guardiola has made it known to Ait-Nouri, as well as Egyptian Omar Marmoush, also concerned by AFCON, that he is counting on them for the second half of the season.
It’s left to see if Algeria will say yes to City’s request or they will stick with FIFA decision on the players arrival date.
