Man City in 'direct talks' over €100m-rated Lille teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi

Manchester City have entered "direct club to club talks" with Lille over a deal for Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, according to transfer insider insider. The 18-year-old, who impressed for Morocco at the World Cup, has become a priority target for City in recent weeks, with the Premier League champions now moving ahead of Arsenal in the race to sign him before the summer window closes on 1 September. Bouaddi has already made 96 first-team appearances for Lille despite his age, and City are believed to be willing to meet the French club's valuation - which could reach €100m. That figure would come on top of the €135m they recently spent on fellow midfielder Elliot Anderson. Romano posted on X: "Manchester City remain in direct club to club talks with Lille for Ayyoub Bouaddi deal. Negotiations ongoing with player and club sides as Man City remain the most interested club in Bouaddi. Decision to make: Ayyoub to join now or in June 2027." Lille president Olivier Letang, however, has played down the idea that a fee has been set. "I never discussed figures," he told L'Equipe. "But very few clubs today can afford a player of Ayyoub's quality, who is only 18. What environment would be best for him to continue developing? We've seen each other since he returned from the World Cup. I can't say what we discussed. Anything is still possible, but in my opinion, he should stay with us for another season. I'm convinced there's a strong chance he'll stay with us. And he would be very happy to do so." Letang added that he refused to engage with any club during the World Cup and insisted the club is "very calm" about the situation. "If he were to leave, we have to be ready," he said.