“Bemused”, “Didn’t consider him good enough” – Manchester City insider offers insight into club thoughts on linked defender

Manchester City were previously left ‘bemused’ by strong links to a defender that is now being once again tied to an interest from the Etihad Stadium, according to reports.

It had been previously claimed earlier this week that Etihad Stadium officials had ‘held talks’ with Wolverhampton Wanderers regarding a possible summer move for their highly-rated left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri.

Such was the claimed interested that the same report indicated that Manchester City had discussed the possibility of involving Sergio Gomez in a player-plus-cash swap deal for the 22-year-old, valued by Molineux bosses at £60 million.

However, a new report has pointed towards the previous feeling from within Manchester City around Rayan Ait-Nouri’s capabilities, in details that could indicate a lack of truth in previous media reports this week.

Offering insight into Manchester City’s history concerning Rayan Ait-Nouri, club insider ‘Tolmie’s Hairdoo’ on X has stated that Etihad officials were left ‘bemused’ by links to the player prior to his move to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

“City previously dismissed any interest in signing defender Rayan Ait-Nouri before he then moved to Wolves,” the source explained. “They were bemused by the strong links at the time and didn’t consider him good enough.”

When further quizzed on recent links between Manchester City and Ait-Nouri in some sections of the media, ‘Tolmie’s Hairdoo’ responded, “Some reports last couple of days but not hearing it has changed.”

Speaking on the situation involving Manchester City and a new left-back recruit in the coming summer months, transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has also stated that Etihad bosses have ‘not even planned’ for recruitment in the role.

“At this point, Manchester City have not even planned for a potential signing in that position. It’s something that they will discuss close to the end of the season.”

Going on to briefly address the tenuous claims of Etihad Stadium interest in Rayan Ait-Nouri, Fabrizio Romano continued, “Wolves won’t make it easy for sure.”