Létang holds firm on Bouaddi
Manchester City's pursuit of Ayyoub Bouaddi has hit the familiar sound of a club president setting out his stall. Lille's Olivier Létang has spoken publicly about the 18-year-old Moroccan midfielder, and the message is clear: Bouaddi stays unless the price is right.
Létang acknowledged that big clubs are circling, singling out one that wears sky blue as a genuine suitor. But he was just as quick to insist that Bouaddi will be playing for Lille next season.
'I told you last time that I thought Ayyoub (Bouaddi) was going to stay with us, and I still stand by that. The idea remains the same: to have a competitive team. If clubs come in at the end of the transfer window for a particular position and we're not in a position to replace the player, then we won't go ahead with the deal.'
That is the nub of it. City want the player now, but Lille want him back on loan for the 2026-27 campaign. Létang is not budging on that front either.
Player's stance
According to the Lille chief, Bouaddi himself is in no rush to leave. 'We're in regular contact with Ayyoub (Bouaddi); he's not in a hurry to leave, and he's very keen to stay here too,' Létang said.
That chimes with the story so far. Reports from Santi Aouna and Hanif Berkane suggested Bouaddi was eager to join the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders, and that a deal was close. But the loan-back issue has always been the sticking point.
Price tag
Létang has also reiterated the €100 million asking price for the Moroccan international. City will likely have to pay a premium if they want this one over the line.
Negotiations are ongoing, and a deal isn't far off according to the latest reports. But with Létang playing hardball, this one could run and run.