Manchester City have moved to the front of the race for Ayyoub Bouaddi, the 18-year-old Lille and Morocco midfielder rated as one of the most valuable teenagers in Europe. Despite reports of a breakthrough, this is not a done deal yet.
Agreement with the player — not yet with Lille
According to reports from Nicolò Schira and Fabrizio Romano, City have reached an agreement in principle with Bouaddi on personal terms, on a contract that would run until 2031. The sticking point is the fee: City and Lille have not yet agreed a price.
What Lille want
Lille value Bouaddi at around €100m, and president Olivier Létang is holding out for a fee “north of £100m,” pointing to Elliot Anderson’s £116m move to City and Sandro Tonali’s £100m switch to Tottenham as reference points. Figures reported so far range from roughly £84m for an immediate transfer up to a package worth around £102m, depending on the structure.
Straight in, or a loan back?
One option on the table is a pre-agreement with Bouaddi loaned back to Lille for 2026/27 before joining for 2027/28. However, City have reportedly told the player they are ready to bring him straight into Enzo Maresca’s first-team plans. Maresca, who replaces Pep Guardiola this summer, is said to have sold Bouaddi on a long-term project at the Etihad.
City not alone
City are the frontrunners, but not unchallenged. Arsenal have held talks and are weighing a rival move, while Liverpool have been linked with a possible hijack. Until a fee is agreed and the move is official, nothing is guaranteed.
Sources: Nicolò Schira, Fabrizio Romano, Evening Standard and others.