Reds Eye Bouaddi After World Cup Breakout
Manchester United are reportedly planning to disrupt Manchester City's pursuit of Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, according to a source on X. The claim has not yet been confirmed by either club.
Bouaddi, an 18-year-old whose performances for Morocco helped drive a run to the World Cup quarter-finals, has become one of the most discussed names of the summer. His calmness in possession, tactical awareness and ability to handle pressure have attracted interest from several leading European clubs.
talkSPORT has reported that United, City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Bayern Munich have all monitored the teenager. Lille are reportedly in a strong negotiating position with Bouaddi contracted until 2029.
Price Tag Complications
The French club could demand as much as €100m for an immediate transfer. A deal worth closer to €80m could reportedly be considered if the player remains in France on loan for another season.
FourFourTwo has reported that Arsenal and Liverpool are prepared to accept Lille's loan-back condition, while City are also among the interested clubs.
For United, the decision is not straightforward. The teenager has the potential to become an elite midfielder, but €80m remains a significant gamble on an 18-year-old who may not arrive immediately. United's midfield also requires experienced reinforcements capable of making an immediate impact.