Man City ‘pushing hard’ to sign Man Utd-linked World Cup sensation with transfer decision ‘expected soon’

Manchester City person reportedly intensified their pursuit of in-demand Lille and Morocco sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi this summer.

The 18-year-old midfielder’s banal has skyrocketed pursuing a superb breakout play astatine nine level with Lille and an eye-catching show astatine the 2026 World Cup with Morocco.

Bouaddi played 40 times for Les Dogues crossed Ligue 1 and the Europa League successful the 2025-26 season, earlier starting 5 times for World Cup quarter-finalists Morocco.

Last week, the teenage endowment became the second-youngest subordinate to play successful a World Cup quarter-final aft Brazil icon Pele, but helium was incapable to assistance Morocco advancement past France, who claimed a 2-0 win.

Bouaddi is present acceptable for a well-earned break, but speculation implicit his nine aboriginal continues to turn amid reported involvement from respective elite European teams.

Man City keen to integrate Bouaddi into Maresca’s squad immediately

Manchester United person precocious muscled their mode into the race for Bouaddi, who was allegedly the subject of transportation talks between Arsenal and Lille earlier this summer.

Real Madrid are thought to beryllium keeping tabs connected the midfielder, but helium is not viewed arsenic a precedence target, portion The Athletic reports that Man City are among the ‘prominent’ suitors for his signature.

The study adds that the Citizens are pushing hard to motion Bouaddi up of him making a determination connected his future, which is expected soon.

Lille person been waiting until Bouaddi returns from the World Cup earlier discussing each options with the highly-rated teen, which see staying with the French side.

While immoderate funny clubs are unfastened to striking a woody present but allowing Bouaddi to proceed his improvement astatine Lille for different season, Man City are said to beryllium keen to instantly integrate the midfielder into their first-team plans.

Man City volition request to walk large again to lure Bouaddi distant from Lille

Man City person already forked retired a club-record £116m to motion Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, but further midfield reinforcements are expected up of the caller campaign.

Uncertainty remains implicit the semipermanent aboriginal of Real Madrid-linked Rodri, who has entered the last 12 months of his contract, portion determination has besides been speculation implicit the futures of Tijjani Reijnders, Matteo Kovacic and Nico Gonzalez and whether they stay wrong Maresca's plans.

Man City allegedly considered a determination for Sandro Tonali earlier helium joined Tottenham Hotspur successful a £100m transportation package, and they are present eyeing up a lucrative woody for Bouaddi.

It is understood that Lille would see selling Bouaddi for a interest successful the portion of €100m (£85m), with nine president Olivier Letang precocious stating that the midfielder has "unique" qualities successful examination to the likes of Anderson and Tonali.

Lille are nether nary contiguous unit to portion ways with Bouaddi, who signed a declaration hold with the French nine earlier the World Cup until June 2029.