Manchester City are pushing to sign one of the brightest midfield prospects in Europe

Manchester City are pushing to sign one of the brightest midfield prospects in Europe After completing the signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, Manchester City remains in the market for one more midfielder. Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi has stood out for some time as the second midfielder that City will target. A new report now indicates that the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders are pushing to sign Bouaddi this summer. It seems that Manchester City are set to plow ahead with their plans to sign two midfielders this summer despite the fact that signing Ayyoub Bouaddi, alongside Elliot Anderson, will be a sizable outlay in the transfer market. Manchester City are pushing hard to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille who is expected to reveal his intentions soon. David Ornstein has provided an update on Manchester City’s bid to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille in the latest Transfer DealSheet article for The Athletic. Ornstein reports that Manchester City is pushing hard to sign Bouaddi. Furthermore, Ornstein reports that Bouaddi is expected to make a decision on his future imminently. It is also reported by David Ornstein that Lille are expected to demand €100 million to sell Bouaddi this summer. That transfer fee is not expected to phase City. Also, it is believed that while other clubs are interested in signing Bouaddi and loaning him back to Lille for the 2026-27 season, Manchester City would rather sign Bouaddi and insert him into Enzo Maresca’s squad immediately. Also, Ornstein reports that Manchester United and Arsenal are among the clubs who have spoken with Bouaddi’s representatives over the past twelve months. Lastly, Ornstein adds that PSG are not expected to be in the race to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi this summer. At first glance, Lille’s asking price for Bouaddi seems steep, but it could become an extremely wise investment if City sign the Moroccan midfielder. Manchester City are seemingly determined to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille this summer. If, as David Ornstein reports, City do not want to loan Bouaddi back to Lille for next season, they will likely have to pay a considerable fee to sign the Moroccan midfield sensation. At first glance, Lille’s €100 million asking price for Bouaddi seems steep. However, if City can sign Bouaddi, it may prove to be a wise investment in time. Ayyoub Bouaddi is only 18 and he plays a difficult role in midfield like an experienced midfielder. There is a maturity to Bouaddi’s play that is impossible to ignore. The most recent example of this came when Morocco drew 1-1 with Brazil in their opening Group C clash of this summer’s World Cup. Bouaddi bossed the midfield battle against Brazil’s midfield, which contained Bruno Guimarães, Casemiro and Lucas Paqueta. Also, the young midfielder wasn’t overwhelmed in the slightest by the occasion throughout Morocco’s World Cup campaign. Both of those traits, coupled with Bouaddi’s exceptional technical and tactical ability, make him a tantalizing prospect. If Manchester City want to sign a midfielder who can contribute now and also replace Rodri in time, Bouaddi is that player. Signing an 18-year-old for around €100 million could be viewed as a bargain in time if Bouaddi develops as expected. Manchester City is pushing hard to win the race to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille. While any move to sign the Moroccan midfielder will come at a cost, if Bouaddi becomes the midfielder he promises to be, City may well be poised to land a big blow in this summer’s transfer window.