Manchester City are closing in on one of the most sought-after teenagers in European football, with Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi edging closer to a move to the Etihad Stadium this summer.
The Premier League giants have overtaken Arsenal in the race for the 18-year-old, and personal terms are already believed to be in place, leaving only a stubborn gap in valuation between the two clubs to bridge.
It is the latest sign of intent from City’s recruitment team as Enzo Maresca, who succeeded Pep Guardiola as head coach, continues to reshape the squad in his own image.
Maresca inherited a City side still built largely around the principles of his predecessor. The pursuit of a player of Bouaddi’s profile suggests the Italian wants technically gifted, ball-playing midfielders capable of dictating tempo from deep — a trait he prized during his time at Leicester and Chelsea.
City move ahead of Arsenal in the race
Arsenal had long been viewed as favourites to land Bouaddi, but their focus has reportedly shifted towards a deal for Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes, opening the door for City to press home their advantage.
Sporting director Hugo Viana is said to be in near-daily contact with Lille president Olivier Letang, with the pair favouring phone calls over face-to-face negotiations as they try to find common ground.
City have already had several verbal offers turned down by the French club, who are determined not to sell their academy graduate on the cheap.
Lille are holding out for a fee in the region of €100m, a figure they regard as a fair reflection of Bouaddi’s talent and resale value. City, for their part, are pushing for a package closer to €90m, structured as a fixed fee with performance-related add-ons. That is the kind of staggered deal that has become increasingly common in the club’s recent business.
Despite the financial standoff, there is no suggestion the move is in danger of collapsing. Bouaddi is contracted at Lille until the summer of 2029, but sources close to the player indicate he has given his full blessing to a switch to Manchester. According to the report, he has provisionally agreed personal terms on a contract that would run until 2031.
World Cup breakthrough sealed his reputation
Bouaddi’s stock has soared since his performances for Morocco at this summer’s World Cup. He emerged as one of the standout young midfielders of the tournament before his side were eliminated by France in the quarter-finals.
His composure on the ball and range of passing at senior international level, against far more experienced opposition, did much to convince City’s recruitment staff that he was ready for a step up.
At club level, the teenager has already made 96 appearances in all competitions for Lille since breaking into the first team, though goals have not been part of his game so far. He has yet to open his account in senior football, contributing four assists instead.
It is his composure under pressure and his ability to control matches from midfield, rather than end product, that has earned him admirers well beyond Ligue 1.
Manchester City are understood to be treating the coming days as pivotal, not just for the Bouaddi deal but for the broader shape of their midfield rebuild.
The club are working to time any agreement for the Lille youngster alongside the expected departure of Rodri to Real Madrid, a move that would free up both space in the squad and funds to help close the gap with Lille’s valuation.
