CORNERFLICK
Manchester City are close to signing Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, with talks now at an advanced stage according to L'Équipe. The French outlet says City want to complete the deal as quickly as possible.
Fee talks and interest
Bouaddi, 18, has drawn interest from several major European clubs in recent months. Recent reports have put the transfer at around €100m, while The Guardian previously reported that City would be prepared to pay about £85m.
Why City want him
The Morocco international caught more attention at the 2026 World Cup, where he started five of his team's six matches as Morocco reached the quarter-finals. City are also understood to be planning more work in midfield after Rodri's departure to Barcelona.
Bouaddi is not being lined up as Rodri's direct replacement, though. City have also moved for Elliot Anderson, while reports suggest Enzo Maresca has long viewed Bouaddi as a strong fit for his style and that the club intends to put him straight into the first team rather than send him back to Lille on loan.