)
Ayyoub Bouaddi has reportedly agreed to personal terms with Manchester City, marking a significant step towards a move to England. The 18-year-old Lille midfielder prefers to join the Citizens this summer rather than waiting until 2027. Negotiations between the clubs are now advanced to finalize the transfer, according to Fabrizio Romano, a renowned transfer market journalist.
Manchester City is determined to secure the young Moroccan international and is reportedly preparing a bid in the region of 100 million euros. With an agreement already reached with Bouaddi, only the final details with Lille remain to complete one of the summer window's biggest deals.
The midfielder's soaring valuation follows a season where Bouaddi rose to prominence for both Lille and the Moroccan national team. Despite being born in France, he chose to represent Morocco and was a key figure in their 2026 World Cup campaign, starting five of their six matches, including the quarter-final clash against France.
That match, which ended in a 2-0 defeat for Morocco, was only Bouaddi's eighth international appearance. Nevertheless, it was enough to intensify the interest of major European clubs in a player Manchester City views as a significant future investment.
Hugo Viana, City's sporting director, is a known admirer of the midfielder's attributes, particularly his technical quality and positional awareness. Standing at 1.85 meters, Bouaddi also possesses a physical presence that the club believes will aid his adaptation to the demands of the Premier League.
,fit(112:112)&format=webp)
,fit(112:112)&format=webp)
,fit(112:112)&format=webp)
,fit(112:112)&format=webp)
&format=webp)
&format=webp)