Manchester City are reportedly nearing the acquisition of Ayyoub Bouaddi, the Lille midfielder who garnered attention during the recent World Cup. The move would see City secure a highly sought-after young talent, potentially beating out other clubs, including Manchester United, for his signature.
Bouaddi, who played for Morocco in the World Cup, has been identified as a player with significant potential. Reports indicate that City have made substantial progress in discussions with both Lille and the player’s representatives. Lille has maintained a valuation of around €100 million for the midfielder.
Bouaddi’s World Cup performance and playing style
During the World Cup, Bouaddi’s performance for Morocco, particularly in their opening group match against Brazil, highlighted his composure and confidence. He recorded 87 touches in that game, more than any of his teammates, demonstrating his ability to influence the tempo of play.
Bouaddi’s playing style is characterised by his ability to dribble out of pressure, using his frame to protect the ball while combining close control with sharp changes of direction. Last season at club level, he completed an average of 1.2 take-ons per game, a figure that placed him among the top defensive midfielders in Europe’s major domestic leagues.
Despite his audacious moments, Bouaddi generally adopts a simple approach in possession, favouring quick, safe passes. His pass sonar from the World Cup illustrates this tendency, reflecting a positional maturity focused on maintaining possession. However, he can struggle with more progressive passes, completing approximately two-thirds of his forward passes during the tournament.
He also experienced losing possession four times per game in his own defensive third during the World Cup, a rate that was among the highest for midfielders in the tournament. These instances sometimes stemmed from a casualness that occasionally accompanied his confidence.
Out of possession, Bouaddi is described as a tenacious ball-winner with an exceptional ability to read the game, anticipating loose balls and positioning himself effectively. He ranked in the 92nd percentile for loose-ball recoveries last season among midfielders in Europe’s top five domestic leagues.
His attacking output has been modest, with no goals and one assist in Ligue 1 last season. However, his demand stems from his qualities as a tempo-controlling, tough-tackling, and intelligent midfielder, drawing comparisons to former Barcelona and Spain player Sergio Busquets.
Transfer market context and City’s plans
The valuation set by Lille for Bouaddi is around €100 million. This figure reflects a transfer market where nine-figure fees are becoming more common. If the deal proceeds at this figure, Bouaddi could become the most expensive teenage midfielder in football history.
Enzo Maresca, City’s manager, reportedly has a strong desire to work with Bouaddi immediately, suggesting that the Moroccan player would be integrated into the squad from the outset, rather than being loaned back to Lille for the upcoming season. City’s management views Bouaddi, alongside Elliot Anderson, as a key part of their long-term central midfield plans.
City are reportedly close to finalising the move, with only minor details remaining to be resolved. This potential transfer follows City’s earlier acquisition of Anderson, who became the most expensive midfielder of all time.
The club’s confidence in securing Bouaddi comes as discussions with Lille and the player’s representatives have accelerated.
Anderson’s transfer from Nottingham Forest is set to be finalised following England‘s exit from the World Cup. City confirmed an agreement was in place with Forest for Anderson, who completed a medical in Kansas.
Rodri, another key midfielder for City, has an increasingly uncertain future, with his contract extending for one more season and interest from Real Madrid.
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Source: nytimes.com
Lucy Ashby is a Sports Reporter at NewsGB. She reported on the county circuit and Team GB. She focuses on tennis, cricket and athletics and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. She holds a degree in Sport and Media from Durham University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Durham, she plays club cricket and follows distance running. “The best sport reporting starts by listening.”
