Midfield rebuild takes shape
Manchester City are preparing a €90 million bid for Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, with personal terms already agreed and a contract running until 2031 reportedly in place. The 18-year-old Morocco international has emerged as a priority target after an impressive season in Ligue 1 and a strong World Cup campaign, and Enzo Maresca is believed to see him as ready for the first team immediately — not another loan project.
The bid from City, first reported by Nicolò Schira, falls short of Lille's preferred valuation. That suggests negotiations still have some distance to run, with add-ons or an improved guaranteed fee likely required to get it over the line.
Hugo Viana's influence
The Guardian has reported that City are prepared to go as high as €100 million, with director of football Hugo Viana driving the pursuit. Viana is said to be impressed by Bouaddi's technical quality, his awareness on the ball and his physical readiness for English football — traits that explain why the plan is to integrate him directly into Maresca's squad rather than send him out on loan.
Bouaddi can receive under pressure, protect the defence and move possession forward without slowing the game down. That profile fits neatly into what City have lost with the departures of Bernardo Silva and John Stones this summer, though the club would argue Bouaddi offers something slightly different — younger legs, a different rhythm, a long-term solution rather than a short-term patch.
The reported fee, even at the upper end, is significant for an 18-year-old with one full senior season behind him. But the market for elite young midfielders is what it is, and City are moving early enough to avoid a bidding war later in the window.
Personal terms are reportedly in place, but an agreement with Lille has not yet been reached.
That line sums up where this stands: the easy part is done, the hard part starts now. Lille know what they have, and they will drive a hard bargain. City will need to decide how much they want this one.