Manchester City’s midfield hunt opens door to 18-year-old Bouaddi

Manchester City are monitoring Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi as part of their ongoing search for midfield reinforcements. The 18-year-old has drawn attention for his performance at the FIFA World Cup, where he starred in Morocco’s 1-1 draw with Brazil. Lille would prefer Bouaddi to join a Premier League club rather than another French side, according to reports. This stance increases the likelihood of a move to Manchester City, though no agreement has been finalised. Bouaddi’s potential departure from Lille is complicated by his long-standing admiration for Paris Saint-Germain. He attended PSG’s 5-0 Champions League final win over Inter Milan in 2025, fueling speculation of a future move to the French giants. Real Madrid and Arsenal have also been linked with Bouaddi, but Arsenal’s current recruitment focus lies elsewhere. Manchester City and PSG remain the most prominently mentioned destinations at this stage.

£116m Anderson deal forces Liverpool to choose Jones or Bouaddi

City’s interest in Bouaddi is part of a broader midfield overhaul under new manager Enzo Maresca. The club has already committed £116 million to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest. Lille director of football Hugo Viana has identified central midfield as a priority area for reinforcement before the transfer window closes. Bouaddi fits the profile of a young, technically gifted midfielder that City have targeted in recent windows. The teenager turns 19 in October and represents a longer-term option than Anderson. However, there is no guarantee of a summer move, with the possibility of Bouaddi staying at Lille for another season still on the table.

UEFA’s contrasting sanctions: PSG’s heavy fines vs Arsenal’s modest penalty

City are also assessing other midfield targets, including Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali. Tottenham are currently understood to be leading the pursuit for the Italian international. The wider context for Bouaddi’s potential transfer reflects City’s need to rebuild their midfield squad. Club captain Bernardo Silva has already left for Real Madrid on a free transfer, while uncertainty surrounds the futures of Nico Gonzalez and Tijjani Reijnders.