Talks in Advanced Stages: Manchester City Poised for €100m French Acquisition

Pulse Sports Team 21:17 - 17 August 2026

English football club Manchester City is in discussions with OSC Lille regarding the transfer of Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. According to the BBC, negotiations are at an advanced stage, with the French club valuing the 18-year-old at €100 million.

Manchester City aims to finalize a transfer this week after agreeing to sell Rodri to FC Barcelona. The Premier League runner-up also maintains interest in Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea. Should they acquire both players, alongside Elliott Anderson from Nottingham Forest, it would significantly reshape their midfield over the summer.

Bouaddi impressed at this year's World Cup, starting in five of Morocco's six matches during their run to the quarterfinals. Since his debut in October 2023, he has played 88 games for Lille. Last season, he helped the team secure a third-place finish in Ligue 1.