Negotiations Ongoing.. Manchester City's Plan to Acquire Moroccan Bouaddi

SadaNews - Manchester City continues its direct negotiations with Lille to acquire Moroccan talent Ayoub Bouaddi, one of the standout discoveries of the 2026 World Cup.

The departure of Bouaddi from Lille has become a matter of time, as the biggest European clubs are competing to secure the services of the 18-year-old player.

Bouaddi, a graduate of Lille's academy, is under contract with the French club until June 30, 2029. This contract gives Lille a strong negotiating position with clubs interested in acquiring him.

City Faces Two Options

Fabrizio Romano, the transfer specialist, revealed via his official account on the "X" platform that "Manchester City is still in direct negotiations with French club Lille regarding the transfer of Ayoub Bouaddi," confirming that "negotiations are ongoing between the player and both clubs, and that Manchester City remains the most interested club in signing the Moroccan player."

According to Romano, "the final decision will depend on the timing of the transfer: either Bouaddi joins immediately during the current transfer window, or the deal is postponed until June 2027," indicating the flexibility both parties show regarding the timing of the transfer completion.

His current market value is 80 million euros (about 86.4 million dollars), according to Transfermarkt, which is a significant rise after his impressive performance with the Moroccan national team in the recent World Cup. His performances have made him one of Europe's rising stars.

Since joining Lille's academy, Bouaddi has participated in 96 matches with the first team and provided 4 assists. These figures indicate a promising technical talent that surpasses his age and have caught the attention of elite European clubs.

Bouaddi Shines in the World Cup

Bouaddi stole the spotlight with the Moroccan national team in the 2026 World Cup. His exceptional performance made him one of the tournament's standout discoveries despite his young age and limited international experience, further increasing the interest of major clubs in him.

Source: Al Jazeera + Foreign Press + Social Media