At just 18 years old, Ayyoub Bouaddi is already being hailed as one of the brightest talents in midfield. Having secured a starting position with LOSC Lille last season, the young midfielder has captivated audiences with his maturity, technical skills, and immense potential. Unsurprisingly, interest in this French international prospect has surged, even as Lille remains firm in their stance not to let him go easily. Recently, club president Olivier Létang subtly set a high valuation on his prized player, indicating the seriousness with which they regard Bouaddi's future.
"How can I answer that question... I've talked about it, mentioned the subject, given a figure? Never. You have to look at his level. How many players like Elliot Anderson or Sandro Tonali have been sold, who are much older but lack the same potential for growth? This gives you an idea of Ayyoub's value, who possesses a unique profile at just 18 years old," he explained. Bouaddi's market value has surged further following his impressive performance during the 2026 World Cup, where he made his mark with Morocco in his debut for the Lions of the Atlas.
Manchester City Eyes Immediate Recruitment
According to reports from The Athletic, Manchester City has made Ayyoub Bouaddi one of their top priorities for strengthening their midfield. The Cityzens are keen to acquire the Lille talent this summer, aiming to integrate him into Enzo Maresca's squad immediately, unlike other clubs that may prefer to allow him an additional season to develop in the north of France. Arsenal and Manchester United have also reached out to his representatives in recent months, while Paris Saint-Germain, despite the connections between Luis Campos and the player, is not expected to make a move.
Lille, for its part, has not ruled out a transfer but insists that it would only consider an exceptional offer. The club values their gem at around €100 million, a figure that aligns with the recent transfers of Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali, as mentioned by Olivier Létang. Despite the hefty price tag, Manchester City appears willing to explore all options to persuade the northern club. Following Bernardo Silva's departure, Manchester City has already signed Elliot Anderson, but with uncertainties surrounding the futures of Rodri, Nico González, and Tijjani Reijnders, the club's management is eager to secure Bouaddi as one of the best investments for the future.
As reported by footmercato.net.
