Manchester City is closing in on one of the most sought-after young midfielders in world soccer. The club has reached a verbal agreement with Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi, the 18-year-old Moroccan who turned heads at the 2026 World Cup.
Bouaddi was one of the breakout players of the tournament, helping Morocco reach the quarterfinals before a tight loss to France. His performances drew interest from Arsenal, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain. But according to multiple reports, City has jumped to the front of the line.
Fabrizio Romano reports that talks between City and Lille are accelerating, with a full agreement expected soon. Personal terms are already settled with the player’s camp. French outlet Footmercato goes further, calling the deal ‘imminent.’
Why City wants him now
City already dropped £116 million on Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson this window. Adding Bouaddi would give new manager Enzo Maresca two major pieces to rebuild the center of the pitch. Maresca took over this summer and has made midfield depth a top priority.
The timing matters for another reason: Rodri’s future is still unsettled. Real Madrid has shown persistent interest in the Ballon d’Or winner, and while nothing is imminent, City is clearly thinking ahead. Bouaddi could learn under Rodri for a year or step in as the long-term replacement if Madrid eventually gets its man.
The sticking point
Lille wants around €100 million. City is pushing for something below that number. The two sides are still haggling over the fee, but the structure of the deal is mostly worked out.
The bigger question is where Bouaddi plays next season. Lille wants to keep him on loan for another year. City wants him in England right away. Maresca is pushing hard to have him available from day one, partly to build chemistry early in his tenure.
Bouaddi already has 96 appearances for Lille despite being just 18. He came up through their academy and has shown composure beyond his years. That kind of experience at his age is rare and part of why City is willing to move fast.
Arsenal had also been linked but appears focused on Bruno Guimaraes instead. Real Madrid might circle back depending on how their own midfield situation plays out. For now, City looks like the destination.
Whether Bouaddi arrives this summer or next, he’s clearly part of the club’s long-term plan. And with Rodri’s situation hanging in the background, that plan might need to speed up sooner than expected.
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