Manchester City Target Ayyoub Bouaddi in £85 Million Deal
Manchester City are moving with intent. The Premier League champions are edging towards an £85 million deal for Lille’s teenage sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi, confident they can land the Morocco international before the window shuts.
City believe they are well placed to win the race for the 18-year-old, who is expected to sign a five-year contract if the clubs can finalise terms. It would be another heavyweight investment in a midfield that is being quietly rebuilt.
Lille, though, are not rolling over.
Negotiations Active
Head coach Davide Ancelotti confirmed negotiations are active and interest is widespread, but he is not ready to let go of his midfield leader without a fight.
“Bouaddi is a very good player,” Ancelotti said after Lille’s 1-1 draw with Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium, where the youngster played the second half. “He is available and he played 45 minutes. But that is only because I have to manage his minutes. Next week we start the season and I consider him as an available player for me.
“Of course, there are negotiations. There is interest from so many clubs. He is a really, really good player and I hope that he is going to stay with us.”
Ancelotti’s admiration runs deep. Asked what separates Bouaddi from his peers, he did not hesitate.
“He has a huge personality. He is incredibly intelligent on and off the pitch, he is really mature. He is 18 years old but he looks like he is 32 when he is on the pitch.
“Technically he is really complete. He is also physical, really strong in duels. He’s going to be one of the best midfielders in Europe for the next ten years.”
City's Urgency
City manager Enzo Maresca, preparing for his first Premier League campaign in charge, made no attempt to hide how badly he wants any new signings through the door quickly – Bouaddi included.
“He’s still a Lille player,” Maresca said. “But any new signing, any new player, for sure as soon as they arrive it’s better.
“Because we’re going to start the Premier League in one week. If they start to work with us as soon as possible, it’s better if they can also understand the way we need to play.”
United Rebuild
Across Manchester, United’s summer has taken a different shape. Michael Carrick has already addressed a long-standing problem area, but his squad still feels incomplete.
United have spent heavily in midfield, bringing in Andrey Santos from Chelsea for £50 million and then triggering Youri Tielemans’ £35 million release clause at Aston Villa. Two signings, one clear message: the middle of the pitch can no longer be a weakness.
The overhaul was forced in part by Casemiro’s departure. The Brazilian’s contract expired and he has since joined Inter Miami on a free transfer, reuniting with the David Beckham project in MLS. His exit has opened up at least one more midfield slot – and Carrick wants it filled.
“I think we’ve done really good business and we’ve got really some top, top, top players,” Carrick said. “We’re delighted with that. We always want to improve. We want more, we need more, we keep looking for how we can do that. That never stops.”
While United search for value in the market for a new central midfielder and a left-back, one name is not up for discussion: Bruno Fernandes.
Galatasaray are reportedly drawing up a lucrative package to tempt the United captain to Istanbul, keen to keep pace with the statement signings made by Fenerbahce and Besiktas. The Independent report that the Turkish club are ready to push hard for the 31-year-old playmaker.
United’s stance is blunt. Fernandes is untouchable.
Fresh from a record-breaking Premier League assist campaign that hauled United back into the Champions League, the Portuguese star remains central to the club’s plans. Even though he is entering the final year of his contract, United hold a one-year extension option and have no intention of sanctioning a sale on the eve of the new season.
Arsenal's Strengthening
United are not alone in feeling light in certain areas.
Mikel Arteta, looking down his bench and seeing just one defender among the substitutes, made it clear Arsenal have been working for weeks to strengthen.
“We know that there are certain areas that, through injuries, we are weaker and we need to strengthen,” he said. “We are trying to do that, we’ve been trying to do that for weeks, so only the right opportunity and the club is able to do it. We will do it.”
The theme is the same at the Etihad. Maresca wants Bouaddi or any other new faces in as early as possible, not as a late scramble.
The pressure is building. The season is almost here. The deals that get done now will define who sets the tempo in the months ahead – and who spends the year chasing.
Vicario's Move
One player already on the move is Guglielmo Vicario. The Tottenham goalkeeper watched from the stands during Spurs’ friendly against Hoffenheim at the weekend, waiting for his next chapter.
Juventus have now stepped up. The Serie A giants are in direct talks with Tottenham over a loan move that would include an option to make the transfer permanent next summer, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Vicario, 29, has long wanted a return to Italy, and that wish finally looks close to being granted.
Juventus turned to the Spurs man after pulling the plug on a deal for Emi Martinez. That move reportedly collapsed over a price gap between Aston Villa and the Italian club, just as Villa closed in on Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.
So the market twists again. City push hard for Bouaddi. United search for bargains while locking the door on Bruno. Arsenal and Maresca wait for the right opportunities. Juventus pivot to Vicario.
The clock is ticking. Who gets what they need before it hits zero?
