Scope on the teenager
Manchester City are keeping tabs on Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, according to reports. The 18-year-old has emerged as one of Europe's most promising young midfielders after a rapid rise through Lille's academy.
Bouaddi already holds the record as the youngest player to make 50 Ligue 1 appearances for the club, surpassing Eden Hazard's previous mark. He signed a contract extension in December 2025 that runs until June 2029, though that hasn't stopped clubs from monitoring his situation.
The Morocco international has also impressed at the ongoing World Cup, which has only intensified interest ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Transfer journalist Matteo Moretto, speaking on Radio MARCA, provided an update on the race for Bouaddi. He confirmed City are among those watching closely.
“However, there is a Premier League club keeping a close eye on his situation and that club is Manchester City. They like him, he fits a profile that is highly appealing.”
City face serious competition. Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Arsenal are all said to be tracking the teenager. Lille president Olivier Létang is reportedly holding out for a fee of at least £70 million — a figure Bouaddi's World Cup performances have likely strengthened.
Bouaddi's profile fits what sporting director Hugo Viana and incoming manager Enzo Maresca are understood to want in midfield: a technically sound, physically developed player who can dictate tempo and operate in multiple roles. His defensive work and passing in tight spaces are rare for his age, and he has been performing at senior level since 16.
Whether City move beyond monitoring and into formal talks remains unclear. But with Moretto's update confirming genuine admiration inside the Etihad, Bouaddi's name is unlikely to disappear from the radar this summer.