Deal for Lille teenager gathers pace
Manchester City are pushing hard to secure Ayyoub Bouaddi this summer, with the 18-year-old Lille midfielder identified as a key target for Enzo Maresca's reshaped squad. Talks between the clubs have been building for weeks, with senior City officials and Lille president Olivier Létang holding direct discussions beginning at the end of June.
Now, according to Fabrizio Romano, City are accelerating their efforts, with talks scheduled to progress on Thursday.
Bouaddi, a product of Lille's academy with 96 appearances for the club already to his name, was one of the standout performers of Morocco's run to the World Cup quarter-finals — a campaign that ended only after a narrow defeat to France. That form has triggered interest from a host of Europe's biggest clubs, including Arsenal, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, with City understood to have moved ahead of the Gunners, who seemingly have their attentions fixed on Bruno Guimaraes.
Arsenal are out. City are in.
According to Footmercato's Santi Aouna and Hanif Berkane, an agreement between City and Lille is imminent, and the player himself has given his personal agreement to a move to the Etihad Stadium. Matteo Moretto reports a similar line — a verbal agreement with Bouaddi is in place, while advanced negotiations with his club continue.
But one sticking point remains: the fee. City are pushing for a deal below Lille's target valuation of €100 million, though the substance of the deal is seemingly all but settled.
There is also the question of timing. Lille wish to keep Bouaddi for an additional season on loan, while City want to integrate him into their squad this summer. The two parties are studying what is the best solution for the Moroccan international midfielder. Given Enzo Maresca is keen to build midfield cohesion early in his tenure, there is plenty of reason to expect City to push hard to have Bouaddi available from the start of the season.
The timing also carries an extra layer of significance given Rodri's own unresolved future at the club, with Real Madrid interest in the World Cup-winning midfielder and captain yet to fully subside.
Bouaddi would be City's second major central midfield addition of the window, following the £116 million arrival of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, as Maresca and Hugo Viana continue to prioritise a rebuild through the middle of the park.