Romano issues latest update on Man City interest in midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi
Bouaddi and his representatives have agreed personal terms with City, while negotiations with Lille are advanced over a transfer valued at about €100 million.
- Manchester City is close to signing 18-year-old midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille after reaching a full agreement on personal terms with the player and his representatives.
- The 18-year-old's reputation has risen sharply following standout performances for Morocco at the 2026 World Cup, where he became the second-youngest player to feature in a quarterfinal match.
- New head coach Enzo Maresca is prioritizing this signing to integrate Bouaddi into the squad, especially as 30-year-old Rodri is strongly linked with a return to Spain.
- City already bolstered their midfield this summer by securing Englishman Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for €135 million , demonstrating aggressive investment.
- Lille president Olivier Létang has resisted low offers, including a bid Ornstein described as 'unserious' at £45 million, yet negotiations advance as Bouaddi pushes to join immediately rather than wait until 2027.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Moroccan teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi close to signing for Manchester City
The 18-year-old will be the latest addition to the City midfield, which has already secured the services of Englishman Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for a reportedly whopping 135 million euros (USD 154 million).
Manchester City took an important step to hire one of the main revelations of the last World Cup. Midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, 18, reached an agreement with the English club on personal terms and expressed the desire to leave Lille still in this transfer window, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, expert in the ball market. Endrick loses space with Mourinho and evaluates leaving Real Madrid; Rome and Aston Villa appear as options Now, the neg…
Romano issues latest update on Man City interest in midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi
Manchester City appear to be closing in on one of Europe’s most exciting young midfielders, with Ayyoub Bouaddi now pushing to complete a move from Lille this summer rather than waiting another year. The 18-year-old’s reputation has risen sharply over the past two seasons, and his performances for Morocco at the 2026 World Cup only increased interest from Europe’s biggest clubs. Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add us as a preferred source on …
This season 2026-27 is not just a campaign for Manchester City and its coach, Enzo Maresca. It is the first course without Pep Guardiola, the most successful technician in the history of the English club, after a decade in the Etihad. And to this we must add sensitive casualties like Bernardo Silva... and Rodri Hernández.The Spanish midfielder is close to heading to Barça after starring in a summer more than moved. After rejecting Real Madrid, t…
Ayyoub Bouaddi transfer: Why do Man City want to spend big on another midfielder after signing Elliot Anderson?
Personal terms have been in place for a while with midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi as Man City and Lille work to find an agreement; the 18-year-old shone for Morocco at the World Cup - is he the answer if Rodri leaves this summer?
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