Manchester City are growing increasingly confident that they will secure the signature of Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi this summer, with club officials now believing a deal is firmly within reach.
Man City move into pole position for £85m-rated Bouaddi
The Premier League champions have made significant progress in negotiations with Lille over recent days.
Director of football Hugo Viana has held extensive discussions with Lille president Olivier Létang, while chief executive Ferran Soriano has also participated in face-to-face meetings a level of executive engagement that underscores just how highly City prioritise landing the Moroccan teenager.
Bouaddi, 18, has emerged as one of European football’s most coveted young talents following a string of outstanding displays for Morocco at the 2026 World Cup.
He featured in every match of the Atlas Lions’ run to the quarter-finals, where they were eventually eliminated by France.
Despite his age, the midfielder has already accumulated 96 senior appearances for Lille, showcasing remarkable maturity beyond his years.
Lille value their prized asset at approximately £85 million, and City are prepared to meet that valuation.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, City remain the “most interested” club in the race for Bouaddi’s signature, with direct negotiations ongoing between all parties.
The club have already agreed personal terms with the player on a contract until 2031.
One key decision still to be finalised concerns the timing of the move.
While City initially explored a loan-back arrangement that would have kept Bouaddi at Lille for another season, they have since shifted their stance and now prefer to integrate him immediately into Enzo Maresca’s squad.
A decision on whether he joins this summer or in June 2027 is expected soon.
The pursuit of Bouaddi has taken on added urgency given the uncertainty surrounding Rodri’s future at the Etihad.
Real Madrid are widely reported to be working on a deal for the World Cup winner, who is pushing for a return to Spain.
City view Bouaddi as a long-term solution who could eventually fill that void.
Competition remains fierce, with Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Real Madrid all monitoring the situation.
However, City’s confidence has grown substantially throughout the summer, and they now believe they are on course to complete one of the window’s most significant deals.
