Have Manchester City settled on their next midfield target?

Have Manchester City settled on their next midfield target? With Elliot Anderson now a Manchester City player, the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders remain in the market for another midfielder. City signed Anderson from Nottingham Forest to fill a serious hole in their midfield. However, the consensus is that Enzo Maresca’s squad still needs one more quality midfielder. The only prominent midfielder who has consistently been named as a City target is Lille and Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. Has Manchester City settled on their next midfield target? It seems that way, as there are no serious links to any other midfielders from a Manchester City point of view. Manchester City continues to be linked with a move for Ayyoub Bouaddi, but no one else. Sam Lee has reported in the most recent Transfer DealSheet for The Athletic, that Manchester City like and admire Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. Furthermore, Lee reports that City have considered signing Bouaddi this summer and loaning him back to Lille. However, given how talented Bouaddi is, the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders are also considering signing Bouaddi and keeping him as a member of Enzo Maresca’s squad for next season. Interestingly, Sam Lee adds that City believes that Bouaddi could slot in at right-back if needed. Outside of Manchester City’s continued reported interest in Ayyoub Bouaddi, it is all quiet on the midfielder front. Chris Wheeler has reported for the Daily Mail that City, alongside Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham have an interest in signing Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott. The Cherries have no intention of selling Scott and are hoping to extend his contract which runs until 2028. It seems like Ayyoub Bouaddi is Manchester City’s next midfield target unless Hugo Viana has a move up his sleeve. A Manchester City move for Ayyoub Bouaddi does seem like the most practical move at this stage. City will need to find Rodri’s long-term replacement, and Bouaddi seems to be the ideal player to be exactly this. Whether or not City can sign the Moroccan sensation from Lille remains to be seen. However, it is a move that makes sense. Given that Morocco remains in the World Cup with a quarter-final tie against France on the horizon, it is unlikely that there will be any further updates on Bouaddi’s future until Morocco’s participation in the World Cup is over. Also, Manchester City have not been linked with any other midfielders of note. A City move for Alex Scott seems unlikely. Bournemouth do not wish to sell Scott and he may not fit Manchester City’s needs. It could also be a case of Manchester City’s next midfield target having not yet been revealed. Hugo Viana has a form for pivoting in the transfer market. Whether or not this will take place isn’t yet known. It does appear that Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi is Manchester City’s next midfield target. That may prove to be correct as Bouaddi fits the profile of what City need in midfield. There doesn’t seem to be any other midfielders on City’s agenda at this stage, however that could change at a moment’s notice.