Bookmakers have installed Manchester City as the clear frontrunners to sign Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi this summer.
The 18-year-old Morocco international has caught the eye at the World Cup, where his performances in the Atlas Lions' midfield have attracted attention from a host of Europe's top clubs.
A leading UK bookmaker currently has City at 10/11 to secure his signature, with Arsenal second favourites at 6/4 and Liverpool trailing at 6/1.
Bouaddi made 42 appearances across all competitions for Lille last season and has been rewarded with a place in Morocco's starting eleven at the World Cup. His country were beaten by France in the quarter-finals last week, but the teenager's stock has risen considerably.
Sources have told Football Insider that City could agree to loan Bouaddi back to Lille for the coming season as part of any deal, allowing him to continue his development in Ligue 1.
New City boss Enzo Maresca is looking to refresh his midfield options. Mateo Kovacic is reportedly set to leave the Etihad this summer after being told he is surplus to requirements, which would free up space for new arrivals.
City have already broken the British transfer record to sign Elliot Anderson, but further midfield additions remain on the agenda.
Bouaddi, who represented France at under-21 level until March before switching allegiances to Morocco, addressed his future in an interview with L'Équipe midway through last season.
“I have extended until 2029 and next year is still far away. I am focused on this season and we have things to fight for. As I also said to the president (Olivier Letang), at the end of the season, there will be a choice to be made, and anything can happen. We don't know what will happen.”
Whether that choice leads to the Etihad remains to be seen, but the bookmakers appear to have made their minds up.