Strengthening the midfield was arguably the top priority for Manchester City during this summer’s transfer window. So far, City have signed Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest to bolster their engine room. However, another signing or two is needed to give Enzo Maresca the options he needs in midfield. Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi has long been a player that Manchester City have been desperate to sign. It has now been reported that Manchester City are slowly trickling towards completing the signing of the Moroccan international. It has taken time for City to get to this stage, but another piece of the building blocks that Enzo Maresca’s midfield needs is almost in place.
Manchester City are close to wrapping up the signing of Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi.
Simon Jones has reported for the Daily Mail that after lengthy and protracted negotiations with Lille, Manchester City are finally on the verge of signing Ayyoub Bouaddi. Jones further reports that Manchester City’s imminent signing of Bouaddi would help offset the loss of Rodri. It is expected that Rodri will sign for Barcelona provided that the La Liga giants pay City’s asking price for the Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder.
Lille manager Davide Ancelotti has admitted that Manchester City and Lille have been in negotiations over Ayyoub Bouaddi. Furthermore, Ancelotti has given glowing praise on Bouaddi’s talent and potential. Speaking after Lille’s friendly against Everton yesterday, Ancelotti said: “Of course, there are negotiations (with Manchester City). There is interest from so many clubs. He is a really, really good player and I hope that he is going to stay with us! What makes him so special? He has a huge personality.”
“He is incredibly intelligent on and off the pitch, he is really mature. He is 18 years old but he looks like he is 32 when he is on the pitch. Technically he is really complete. He is also physical, really strong in duels. He’s going to be one of the best midfielders in Europe for the next 10 years.”
At long last, Ayyoub Bouaddi seems set to finally move to the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders.
Manchester City’s bid to bolster their midfield has run parallel to the situation surrounding Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders. Tijjani Reijnders is on the verge of signing for Saudi Arabian club Al Qadsiah. At this stage, it would be a surprise if Rodri didn’t eventually complete a move to Barcelona. With those two players seemingly destined to depart Manchester City, Enzo Maresca’s squad does need quality added to its midfield. Signing Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille would address this need.
Ayyoub Bouaddi’s performance against Brazil In Morocco’s opening group stage match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup was further proof of the 18-year-old midfielders quality and pedigree. Bouaddi dictated the tempo of that match against Brazil’s experienced midfield. However, that performance only further enhanced Bouaddi’s reputation.
During his time at Lille, Bouaddi has established himself as a potential generational talent in midfield. The Moroccan midfielder reads the game exceptionally well and his positioning out of possession is elite. Ayyoub Bouaddi is exceptionally strong in a duel and his physical attributes are suited to life in the Premier League. In possession, Bouaddi glides around the pitch with his dribbling. In terms of his passing, Bouaddi does play it safe. However, he has the potential to become a game-breaker in possession as he matures.
Manchester City are finally on the verge of signing Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. It does seem that Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders will leave City in the coming days. Once one, or both, of those departures occur, Ayyoub Bouaddi should finally become Manchester City’s next midfield signing.