Manchester City ‘Prominent’ in the Race to Sign Teenage World Cup Star: Report
Lille want £85 million for the 18-year-old after his World Cup form raised his value and complicated City’s midfield plans.
- Manchester City has intensified their pursuit of Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, aiming to integrate the 18-year-old star directly into Enzo Maresca's first-team squad this summer.
- Following Bouaddi's impressive performances for Morocco at the 2026 World Cup, where he reached the quarter-finals, Lille increased their asking price to £85m, a significant jump from earlier summer valuations.
- Arsenal and Manchester United have been "in contact with Bouaddi's camp" over the past 12 months, yet some interested clubs are open to loaning him back to Lille for the season, unlike City's preference for immediate integration.
- City must now negotiate the £85m fee or contemplate another significant expenditure; Bouaddi has already made 96 senior appearances for Lille, demonstrating his readiness for top-level football.
- Manager Enzo Maresca faces a hectic final six weeks of the transfer window as City seeks midfield reinforcements, particularly with Rodri's contract expiring next summer and uncertainty surrounding other key players.
24 Articles
24 Articles
Man City open talks with £85m Lille star Bouaddi as Arsenal fight to sign midfielder
Manchester City have significantly ramped up their pursuit of Lille’s rising Moroccan sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi, setting the stage for an intense transfer battle with Premier League rivals Arsenal. As the summer transfer window heats up, both English giants are positioning themselves to land the coveted midfielder, whose performances in Ligue 1 and on the international stage have caught the eye of Europe’s elite. City have reportedly communicated…
New talks held: Man City communicate plans to £85m star, Arsenal also still firmly in race for transfer
Manchester City have reportedly intensified talks over signing Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, while Arsenal are also still in the running. The talented young Morocco international has shone in Ligue 1 and also impressed with his national team at the 2026 World Cup, though his tournament ended with the recent defeat to France. A recent report […] The post New talks held: Man City communicate plans to £85m star, Arsenal also still firmly in race…
Ayyoub Bouaddi is something special in many ways. Although he was born in France, he plays for Morocco, where his parents come from. He skipped two grades during his schooling, passed his matriculation exam with outstanding success, and then started studying mathematics. He may be from England in the future, as Manchester City are seriously interested in him.
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