According to international media reports, Lille have agreed terms with England Premier League champions Manchester City to sign the highly rated Morocco midfielder, Ayyoub Bouaddi, for £86 million ($117 million). The 18-year-old has come into the world as one of Europe’s most promising young midfielders and is set to go to England for a medical before he can make his Etihad Stadium move.
Manchester City have been in talks with Lille for a few weeks, as the Blues look to re-establish a central midfield. The club has just agreed that Rodri can join Barcelona and Tijjani Reijnders goes to Al-Qadsiah making the position a more pressing need.
Bouaddi’s appearances for Morocco at the recent World Cup only enhanced his reputation. The midfielder from France got the country to the quarter finals where Morocco were beaten by France.
His arrival would give the revamped City midfield one more young addition to their squad, to complement England international Elliot Anderson. Since Guardiola left the end of last season, recruitment for the midfield has been a primary concern of Maresca.
They are also believed to be interested in the transfer of Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City, who are understood to be still interested in the midfielder. The deadline for bids for the Argentina international, though, came and went without a deal, and it has been reported that Fernandez is worth some £120mil.
The in-progress Bouaddi transfer is another major addition, as City get ready to make a few changes after losing two experienced midfielders.
At 18, Bouaddi would come in with some big expectations accompanied with ample potential as well. He has a blend of skill, physical fitness and international experience which has made him one of the most desirable midfielders in Europe.
