Manchester United keen on signing 23-year-old Premier League defender on Chelsea's radar: Reports

Manchester United are reportedly interested in adding Wolverhampton Wanderers left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri, who has been linked with Chelsea, to their ranks in the near future.

Ait-Nouri, 23, has gone from strength to strength since joining Gary O'Neil's team from Ligue 1 side Angers for around £10 million in 2021. He has been in decent form this season, producing three goals and two assists in 12 Premier League starts.

Now, according to The Sun, Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has identified Ait-Nouri as a top transfer target. He is keen to sign the Algerian as his side currently lack proper depth at wing-back for his 3-4-3 system.

Meanwhile, the Red Devils are likely to face competition from a host of Premier League clubs in the future. Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur are all keeping tabs on Ait-Nouri, as per The Boot Room.

Should the Chelsea target secure a permanent switch to Manchester United, he could prove to be a stellar signing for them. He would likely displace Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia further down the pecking order owing to the pair's recurrent injury issues.

Manchester United urged to sign Chelsea star

Speaking to betting website Casino Hawks, former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit urged Manchester United to launch a move to lure Christopher Nkunku away from Chelsea. He said (h/t Metro):

"Ruben Amorim has a clear philosophy and knows exactly what he wants from his players. He has an identity and he wants intelligent players – Christopher Nkunku is one of those. In terms of how he links up with strikers and wingers, he could have a big impact at Old Trafford if Chelsea decide to sell. Looking at the dressing room at Manchester United, he could make a big difference."

Petit, who also represented the west London outfit as a player, added:

"Nkunku isn't being prioritised because of who is coming in to play in that position, Estevao Willian. This is a player who has broken Neymar's records in Brazil and has so much quality despite only being 17."

Nkunku, who joined the Blues from RB Leipzig for close to £52 million in 2023, has lately fallen down his team's pecking order. He has started just one of his 11 Premier League appearances this season, featuring in 163 minutes of action.

So far this campaign, the versatile forward has scored 10 goals and provided one assist in 18 matches across all competitions for the Blues. However, the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) youth product has scored just once in the Premier League.