Manchester City are in advanced talks with Lille over a potential move for Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, with the Premier League giants keen to complete the deal this week.
The 18-year-old Moroccan has attracted major interest after an impressive 2026 World Cup campaign, where he started five of Morocco’s six matches as the Atlas Lions reached the quarter-finals.
City have identified Bouaddi as a potential replacement for Spain midfielder Rodri, who is set to join Barcelona in a £65 million transfer.
Lille value Bouaddi at around €100 million, which would make the teenager one of the most expensive African players in football history.
Bouaddi has enjoyed a rapid rise since making his Lille debut in October 2023, just three days after his 16th birthday. He has since made 88 appearances for the French club and played an important role in their third-place finish in Ligue 1 last season.
His breakthrough on the European stage came with Lille's Champions League victory over Real Madrid in 2024, further establishing him as one of Africa's brightest young talents.
A deep-lying midfielder, Bouaddi is viewed by City as a player capable of controlling games from the base of midfield. His arrival would also give the club another option alongside summer signing Elliot Anderson.
A move to Manchester City would represent another major step in the career of the Moroccan teenager, who has quickly become one of Africa's most sought-after young players.
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