Manchester City Target Ayyoub Bouaddi as Lille Confirms Negotiations

Manchester City are edging closer to their next major summer signing, with Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi now firmly on their radar and negotiations under way.

The 18-year-old lit up this summer’s World Cup, forcing his way from late debutant to automatic starter for Morocco. He began all but one of their matches on a run that carried them to the quarter-finals, and his surge onto the global stage has not gone unnoticed.

Before he was making waves on the international scene, Bouaddi had already imposed himself in Ligue 1. Last season he helped drive Lille to a third-place finish in France, securing a Champions League return and announcing himself as one of the most exciting young midfielders in Europe.

That rise has triggered a scramble. According to Lille’s new head coach Davide Ancelotti, interest is coming from across the continent – but City are now seen as the club pushing hardest.

Ancelotti, who took charge earlier this summer after Bruno Genesio left for Marseille, did little to cool the speculation. Speaking to Ouest France, he admitted: “Of course, there are negotiations. Many clubs are interested in him.”

The admission came after a curious afternoon on Merseyside. Bouaddi played only 45 minutes in Lille’s friendly against Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday, a decision that immediately fuelled talk in France that the club were managing his minutes ahead of a potential transfer.

A price has already been floated. A fee of around €100m (£85.5m) is understood to be the figure that could unlock the deal, a sum that reflects both Bouaddi’s current impact and his long-term ceiling.

Ancelotti, though, is not ready to concede defeat. He pushed back against the idea that Bouaddi is already halfway out of the door.

“He is a very, very good player and I hope he will stay with us,” he said. “The season starts next week and I consider him a player at my disposal.”

Pressed on the limited game time against Everton, Ancelotti insisted the decision was about management, not an imminent exit. “He was physically ready to play and he did play 45 minutes – but that’s only because I have to manage his playing time.”

For now, Lille plan with Bouaddi. Their Ligue 1 campaign begins with a trip to Angers on Sunday afternoon, and Ancelotti is treating his young star as part of that squad.

City, though, rarely circle a target without intent. If they decide Bouaddi is the next piece of their midfield evolution, the question is no longer whether they can afford him – but whether Lille can afford to say no.