Manchester City in advanced talks for £85m Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi

Manchester City have entered the final stages of negotiations with French side Lille to secure the services of 19‑year‑old Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. Reports suggest the Premier League champions are prepared to meet a fee of around £85 million to bring the highly rated player to the Etihad.

Bouaddi, who broke into Lille’s first team last season, has impressed with his composure, passing range and ability to drive forward from deep. The midfielder has also featured for Morocco’s youth sides and is tipped to become a regular senior international in the near future. City’s interest aligns with their recent focus on adding technically gifted, versatile midfield options to complement their existing squad.

The potential signing comes as Manchester City continue to monitor other targets, most notably Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez. The 23‑year‑old, currently on loan from Chelsea, has been linked with a permanent move to the club. Sources indicate that City’s pursuit of Fernandez remains active, even as they progress with the Bouaddi deal.

If the transfer materialises, Bouaddi would join a midfield already featuring players such as Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri and Bernardo Silva. City’s recruitment strategy appears aimed at maintaining depth and ensuring succession planning as several senior figures approach the latter stages of their careers.

Lille have not confirmed the talks, but the club is reportedly open to negotiations, acknowledging Bouaddi’s rising profile and the financial incentive of a sizable transfer fee. The deal is expected to be finalized before the close of the summer window, pending medicals and personal terms.

Original reporting: BBC Sport (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cd7l9n4qnlno).