Headline: Manchester City Pursues Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille Amid Rodri Transfer to Barcelona
Manchester City is in advanced discussions with Lille regarding the acquisition of Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. The Premier League club aims to finalize the transfer this week following their agreement to sell Rodri to Barcelona.
Advertisement
Lille has reportedly set a price of 100 million euros (£85.6 million) for the 18-year-old talent.
Bouaddi made significant waves during this summer’s World Cup, where he started in all five of Morocco’s matches as they progressed to the last 16. He gained further recognition for his standout performance in Lille’s Champions League victory over Real Madrid in 2024.
He is known for his deep-lying playmaking ability, similar to that of Rodri, and would work well alongside summer signing Elliot Anderson, who excels in a box-to-box role.
Since making his debut for Lille in October 2023, shortly after turning 16, Bouaddi has participated in 88 matches, contributing to the team’s third-place finish in Ligue 1 last season.
Advertisement
Meanwhile, Spain’s captain Rodri is poised to wrap up a £65 million transfer to Barcelona in the coming days, securing a four-year contract.
Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, has appeared 298 times for Manchester City over seven successful seasons after joining from Atletico Madrid in 2019 for a then-record fee of £62.8 million.
The 30-year-old spent considerable time sidelined during the 2024-25 season due to a serious knee injury, with parts of the previous season affected by a hamstring issue. However, he rebounded at the World Cup, leading Spain to its second title and earning the tournament’s top player honors.
It remains uncertain how a successful acquisition of Bouaddi would influence City’s ongoing interest in Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez, but sources close to the situation suggest that City manager Enzo Maresca continues to show a strong inclination toward the Argentine midfielder.
Manchester City are in advanced talks with Lille over a move for Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi.
The Premier League side want to conclude the transfer this week after agreeing to sell Rodri to Barcelona.
Advertisement
It is understood Lille value the 18-year-old at 100 million euros (£85.6m).
Bouaddi impressed at this summer’s World Cup – starting all of Morocco’s five matches in their run to the last 16 – after a starring role in Lille’s Champions League victory over Real Madrid in 2024 announced him on the big stage.
He functions as a deep-lying conductor – much in the same vein as Rodri – and would complement summer signing Elliot Anderson, who is more of a box-to-box midfielder.
Bouaddi has played 88 times for Lille since making his debut in October 2023, three days after his 16th birthday, and helped them finish third in Ligue 1 last season.
Advertisement
Spain captain Rodri is set to complete a £65m move to Barcelona in the coming days on a four-year contract.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner has made 298 appearances across seven trophy-laden seasons at City after joining from Atletico Madrid in 2019 for a then club record £62.8m.
The 30-year-old missed much of the 2024-25 campaign with a serious knee injury, and parts of last season were disrupted by a hamstring issue.
However, he was back to his best at the World Cup in the summer, leading Spain to their second title and being named player of the tournament.
It remains to be seen how a successful move for Bouaddi would impact City’s interest in Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez, but well-placed sources maintain that City manager Enzo Maresca retains a strong interest in the Argentina midfielder.
[/gpt3]