Manchester City step up pursuit of Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi with transfer talks at advanced stage

Manchester City are in advanced negotiations to sign Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, with the Premier League champions increasingly confident of striking a deal, according to reports in France and Italy.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano says City’s hierarchy believe they are “very confident” of completing the transfer for the 18-year-old Morocco international, with discussions between the Manchester club and Lille having accelerated significantly in recent hours.

Both clubs are understood to be pushing to reach an agreement swiftly, with talks described as progressing positively on all key points. The dialogue between the two sides has intensified as they look to find common ground over the structure of the deal.

At the same time, City are also making headway in negotiations over personal terms with Bouaddi and his representatives. The player’s camp and the English club are said to share a clear intention to finalise the move, bringing a definitive agreement for the Lille teenager closer.

Uncertainty over timing of move

Despite the broad agreement taking shape, there remains a major question mark over when Bouaddi would actually join City if the deal is completed.

Romano reports that City’s decision-makers are weighing up two specific scenarios: either bringing the midfielder to the Etihad Stadium this summer, or finalising a deal that would see him arrive in the summer of 2027 instead.

The timing will largely depend on how City’s current squad situation develops over the coming months, with particular focus on the future of key midfielder Rodri.

Rodri situation central to City plan

Bouaddi’s immediate future in Manchester is said to be closely linked to whether Rodri remains at the club next season.

If the Spain international stays with City, the plan would be for Bouaddi’s arrival to be postponed until 2027, allowing him to continue his development away from the Etihad while the current first-choice holding midfielder retains his role.

However, should Rodri leave the club, City are expected to bring Bouaddi in immediately and integrate him straight into Pep Guardiola’s first-team squad, with the youngster earmarked for a direct role with the Sky Blues.

Contract and valuation at Lille

Bouaddi, born in Senlis, is under contract with Lille until the summer of 2029, giving the French club a strong negotiating position in talks with City.

The midfielder is currently valued at €50m on Transfermarkt, a figure that provides a reference point for his market worth as discussions continue between the two clubs.

In France, Bouaddi earns an annual salary of €1,090,000, which equates to 708,500,000 FCFA. Any move to the Premier League would inevitably involve a significant adjustment to his contractual terms, though specific figures under discussion with City have not been disclosed.

While no final agreement has yet been announced, the combination of advanced club-to-club talks and positive progress on the player’s side suggests City are moving decisively in their bid to secure one of Lille’s most highly rated young talents, with only the timing of his arrival still to be resolved.