So, Manchester City are in advanced talks with Lille over a move for Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi.
City want to conclude the transfer this week after agreeing to sell Rodri to Barcelona.
It is understood Lille value the 18-year-old at 100m euros (£85.6m).
Bouaddi impressed at this summer's World Cup - starting five of Morocco's six matches in their run to the quarter-finals - 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 and would complement summer signing Elliot Anderson, who is comfortable as a box-to-box midfielder as well as the number six role he plays for England.
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.
It remains to be seen if a successful move for Bouaddi would impact City's interest in Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez, but well-placed sources maintain that manager Enzo Maresca retains a strong interest in the Argentina midfielder.
Is Bouaddi a suitable replacement for Rodri? Do you think his arrival would make Maresca's midfield stronger? And what do you think will happen in terms of Fernandez?
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