Manchester City Close In on Ayyoub Bouaddi Transfer

Manchester City are set to complete the second major step of their midfield rebuild. According to Marca, the English giants, who have fully agreed personal terms with Morocco's 18-year-old star Ayyoub Bouaddi, are now finalising fee negotiations with Lille. According to the report, the player himself wants to make the move to England immediately this summer rather than waiting until 2027.

It's recalled that Bouaddi, a product of Lille's academy who has made 96 appearances for the club, was one of the standout performers as Morocco reached the World Cup quarterfinals this past summer. Lille initially demanded a fee of around €100 million, but City are said to have negotiated that figure down to the €70-80 million range. Despite Lille's desire to keep the player on loan for another season, Bouaddi is said to have informed his club that he now wants to leave immediately.

Set to become City's second major midfield addition of the summer following the £116 million signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, Bouaddi is said to be at the centre of head coach Enzo Maresca and sporting director Hugo Viana's midfield planning. It's also noted that City's confidence in securing this deal is one of the reasons the club held back from seriously pursuing Sandro Tonali and has been reluctant to meet Newcastle's valuation for Bruno Guimaraes.

Source: Marca
Image: Africa Soccer