Manchester City linked with €90m move for Ayyoub Bouaddi

Ayyoub Bouaddi’s rise has gathered serious momentum after his performances for Morocco, with reports suggesting Manchester City are prepared to spend €90 million on the Lille midfielder. The 18-year-old has emerged as one of the most talked-about young players in the game, and his displays on the international stage appear to have accelerated interest in his future.

World Cup displays put Bouaddi in the spotlight

Bouaddi drew widespread attention during Morocco’s recent World Cup campaign, where he was praised for his maturity and calmness in central midfield. One of the standout moments in that run came in the draw against Brazil, a match in which the teenager was described as playing with the assurance of a far more experienced footballer.

His composure in one of the most demanding areas of the pitch became a recurring theme. Bouaddi’s ability to escape pressure with the dribble and then quickly connect play with a pass has been highlighted as one of his defining qualities. Standing at 186 cm, he has combined physical presence with technical security, making him one of the most intriguing midfield prospects to emerge in recent years.

From France youth teams to Morocco senior plans

Bouaddi’s international story has added another layer to his growing profile. Born in Senlis in France, he progressed through the French youth system and was viewed as a player with a significant future there. As recently as March 2026, he was still representing France at under-21 level.

Despite that pathway, Bouaddi ultimately chose to represent Morocco, the country of his parents. According to the source material, both Didier Deschamps and his successor Zinedine Zidane had offered encouragement over a future with France, but the Lille midfielder opted for Morocco instead. That decision has already looked significant given the impact he made on the world stage.

Why Europe’s biggest clubs are watching

The interest in Bouaddi is not based on goals or assists. His attacking output was described by The Athletic as an area that still needs improvement, with the source noting he did not score in Ligue 1 last season and registered one assist. But that has not diminished his appeal.

Instead, Bouaddi is being valued for his intelligence, control of tempo and defensive edge in midfield. The comparison made in the source to Sergio Busquets is revealing: not because Bouaddi is expected to mirror the Spaniard exactly, but because his influence is seen in the way he reads the game, protects possession and gives structure to the team around him.

• Bouaddi currently plays for Lille.
• He impressed for Morocco during the recent World Cup.
• Nicolo Schira reports Manchester City are willing to pay €90m.
• The same report says there is a preliminary agreement on a five-year contract.
• PSG, Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Liverpool are also mentioned as interested clubs.

Manchester City lead the conversation

According to Nicolo Schira, Manchester City have already gone beyond simple admiration and are ready to commit €90 million to sign Bouaddi. The report also states that the player has reached a preliminary agreement over a five-year deal.

That would represent a huge statement over Bouaddi’s potential and underline how highly he is rated inside elite recruitment circles. His value has reportedly climbed sharply since the World Cup, even approaching the €100 million mark.

For now, Bouaddi remains a Lille player, but the direction of travel appears clear. With City reportedly prepared to move aggressively and several other major European clubs also tracking him, the midfielder’s next step is becoming one of the most closely watched stories in the market.