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Manchester City is currently on track to finalize the acquisition of Moroccan international Ayyoub Bouaddi.
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Recent negotiations with Lille have seen significant advancements.
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Etihad Stadium officials are growing increasingly optimistic about securing a second major midfield signing this summer.
Manchester City is confident about landing Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, with discussions progressing toward a deal around £85 million, according to recent reports.
Ayyoub Bouaddi has become the focal point in one of the most competitive transfer races of the summer, with Manchester City’s interest in the 18-year-old facing sustained competition from Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain, amid a summer where the Morocco international’s market value soared following an impressive FIFA World Cup performance.
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The international midfielder’s displays in North America—where he played in every game except one during Morocco’s quarter-final journey—validated the views of those aware of his potential in Ligue 1: Bouaddi is considered one of the most promising young midfielders in European football.
Manchester City is advancing in their pursuit of Ayyoub Bouaddi as Lille sets its asking price for a permanent transfer.
Negotiations between director of football Hugo Viana and Lille president Olivier Létang have been among the most vital this summer, which has already seen the £116 million acquisition of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, with CEO Ferran Soriano also involved in face-to-face discussions with Létang. This level of executive engagement underscores the importance City places on acquiring Bouaddi ahead of the transfer window closing.
This summer, City’s position on the deal has evolved, with the club originally considering a loan-back option that would have kept Bouaddi at Lille for another season, ultimately shifting to demand his immediate integration into Maresca’s squad—a change that was accepted by the player’s representatives.
Report: Significant progress made as City closes in on historic signing
According to talkSPORT, Manchester City is nearing the completion of Bouaddi’s transfer after making notable progress in negotiations with Lille in recent days, with the understanding that the deal is close to being finalized unless any unexpected issues arise.
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Bouaddi is valued by Lille at £85 million, and it remains to be seen whether City’s sporting director Hugo Viana can negotiate a lower final fee, as newly appointed manager Enzo Maresca is eager to secure one of the brightest midfield prospects in the world.
City believes that there is no better setting for Bouaddi’s growth than being alongside Rodri, one of the top holding midfielders globally. Following earlier discussions about a potential loan-back to Lille, Maresca is determined to incorporate Bouaddi into his team right away.
Lille’s £85 million asking price was initially seen as a hurdle for several interested teams, but City’s readiness to fulfill the French club’s demands entirely—mirroring the approach taken in the Anderson negotiation—has propelled them ahead of their rivals who were hesitant to meet that price.
Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi is set for a significant role change at Manchester City.
Impact of Bouaddi’s signing on Man City’s midfield transition
A deal for Bouaddi at £85 million, combined with the £116 million already invested in Anderson, would represent a total midfield expenditure exceeding £200 million in a single transfer window. This illustrates the commitment from Viana and manager Enzo Maresca regarding the substantial rebuild currently in progress at the Etihad Stadium.
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Integrating a player of Bouaddi’s caliber would also provide clarity on how City plans to replace Rodri in the long term; Bouaddi’s tactical awareness, passing ability, and physical growth suggest he is destined to become a world-class defensive midfielder ready to step into a vital role within Maresca’s system.
Securing Bouaddi over competitors like Arsenal, who had been following him for years, will be especially gratifying for Viana. Closing a deal of such complexity and significance ahead of clubs like Arsenal—a team of considerable historical stature—serves as a strong indicator of the shifting landscape at the Etihad Stadium under the new management structure.
Whether the final details can be wrapped up in time for Bouaddi to participate in pre-season training at the City Football Academy, or if his start is delayed until all paperwork is finalized, remains the last major uncertainty in a transfer saga that has captured the attention of Manchester City and their competitors throughout the summer.