Manchester City don enter strong negotiation with French club Lille to complete signing of Morocco star Ayoub Bouaddi, one of the most promising young talents for Europe football.
According to Italian transfer guru Nicolo Schira, wey break the news on X, Bouaddi and City don already agree contract wey go run until 2031. The English club hierarchy don ramp up talks with Lille to strike deal for the player.
City dey move fast to wrap things up early, because dem want beat two other major European clubs wey dey chase the Moroccan. City see Bouaddi as project for future. That na why dem want settle the deal before competition heat up for player wey don catch eye with his display for Lille and Moroccan national team for 2026 World Cup. His performance against Brazil was stunning.
The pursuit show say European clubs dey hungry for young Moroccan talent. Bouaddi don firmly land on radar of continent biggest clubs. If City reach final agreement with Lille, dem go give Bouaddi major step up for im career—move to one of Europe giants wey fit open new chapter for im professional journey.
City don dey quiet for summer transfer window so far. Dem don confirm signing of Mathys Detourbet from sister club Troyes, but dem loan am to Monaco. Goalkeeper Pierce Charles go continue development for Championship with Queens Park Rangers. City also don beat Arsenal to sign youngster Jeremy Monga.
Arsenal bin dey among clubs wey show interest for Bouaddi, with Mikel Arteta wanting to bolster midfield. But reports from Italy claim City don lead the race, reaching agreement in principle with Lille midfielder for contract until 2031. City still need to reach agreement with Lille over transfer fee, though chairman Olivier Letang don hint say north of £100 million go be enough.
Letang talk: “When I see Anderson move to Manchester City for £116 million and Tonali to Tottenham for £100 million, and they no get the potential for development wey Ayyoub get because he possess unique qualities. I get price for mind, and we go see wetin happen.”
Speaking of Anderson, he go finalise his transfer from Nottingham Forest after England exit World Cup. City state say Anderson, 23, dey compete for World Cup with England and don complete medical for Kansas.
Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi don choose to move to City this summer. Several Premier League clubs including Arsenal bin dey link with the World Cup star. The Morocco international na one of standout players for World Cup for North America, as he help his side reach quarter-finals before losing to France. His performance don make most of Europe top clubs show interest for the 18-year-old.
Bouaddi currently dey play for Ligue 1 side Lille. Reports claim say dem go cash in this summer. Journalist Nicolo Schira say the teenager don agree contract with City until 2031. The club go now enter negotiation with Lille to reach agreement over transfer fee.
City anticipate say two other top European clubs go make their move, though their identities remain unknown. Arsenal and United dey among clubs wey dem link with interest for the player. Reports indicate say City view Bouaddi as someone wey fit slot directly into first team, despite £116 million acquisition of England international Elliot Anderson. This fit give dem advantage over competing clubs.
Former France international Emmanuel Petit don praise Bouaddi. He talk: “He don be one of the strongest young players for France. We don see that against Brazil. He show maturity and personality. Even at end of game, I see am try to dribble for his own penalty area. The confidence, he get quality, he get physical presence, he get tactical knowledge, he get technical skills. I no surprise at all say he don be target for two seasons now with big clubs for Europe, and e go be fierce battle to get am.”
