Man City want Ayyoub Bouaddi integrated straight into first team

Manchester City are stepping up their pursuit of Moroccan teenage sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi, with the Premier League giants keen to bring the Lille midfielder to the Etihad and integrate him into their squad immediately.

The 18-year-old has emerged as one of the most sought-after young talents in European football after his impressive performances for Morocco at the World Cup, where he helped attract global attention during the country’s second consecutive run to the latter stages of the tournament.

While Bouaddi was already highly rated among scouts and elite clubs across Europe, his international breakthrough has significantly increased interest in his signature, with several major sides now monitoring his situation closely.

City are among the leading contenders and are pushing strongly to convince the teenager to choose Manchester as his next destination, with a decision on his future expected soon.

City prioritise immediate integration under Maresca

Unlike some of Bouaddi’s admirers who would prefer to complete a transfer now before allowing him to continue his development at Lille for another season, City are believed to have a different vision.

The club want to integrate the midfielder into the first-team setup immediately, seeing him as a player capable of making an impact while continuing his development under new head coach Enzo Maresca.

Bouaddi’s ability to operate in midfield has made him particularly attractive to City, who are looking to strengthen that area following major changes to their squad.

The club have already lost long-time midfield figure Bernardo Silva, while they recently completed the signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116 million. They also considered Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali before he joined Tottenham Hotspur.

There are also questions surrounding the long-term futures of Rodri, whose contract expires in June 2027, as well as Nico Gonzalez and Tijjani Reijnders, making midfield reinforcement a key priority.

Lille demand huge fee for teenage star

Lille are open to discussing Bouaddi’s departure if the right offer arrives, but reports suggest the French club could demand a fee in the region of €100 million (£85 million; $114 million) for their prized asset.

Such a valuation could prove difficult for some interested clubs, despite widespread admiration for the midfielder’s talent.

Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United have all maintained contact with Bouaddi’s representatives over the past year, while Paris Saint-Germain — despite their previous connection to the player — are not considered contenders this summer.

PSG football advisor Luis Campos played a role in bringing Bouaddi to Lille in 2021, but the French champions are not expected to enter the race.

Lille had planned to wait until Bouaddi returned from World Cup duty before discussing his next move, with all options still open, including another season in Ligue 1.

However, City’s willingness to offer him an immediate pathway into senior football could prove decisive as the midfielder weighs his future.