Manchester City began decisive negotiation rounds today with French club Lille, aiming to complete the transfer of Moroccan star Ayoub Bouaddi, in preparation for his medical examination. City’s management is keen to sign Bouaddi to strengthen the team during the current summer transfer window, as negotiations between the two clubs have reached final and critical stages.
This accelerated move by Manchester City to acquire Ayoub Bouaddi is part of the club’s plan to compensate for the departure of Spanish midfielder Rodri, who officially transferred to Barcelona in a deal worth 65 million euros. Rodri’s departure has strongly motivated City to renew its efforts and press Lille to finalize the deal for the Moroccan player, whom they consider the ideal replacement.
The coming days are expected to witness the official announcement of Bouaddi’s transfer, especially after Manchester City intensified communications with Lille to reach a final agreement. Media reports confirm that the deal is imminent, awaiting only Lille’s green light for the player to travel to Manchester and undergo routine medical examinations before signing.
Ayoub Bouaddi shone remarkably in the 2026 World Cup held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, where he delivered outstanding performances with the Moroccan national team, particularly in the group stage opener against Brazil. That match ended in a 1-1 draw, with Morocco taking the lead through striker Ismail Saibari before Vinicius equalized for Brazil. Bouaddi’s performance in the tournament was one of the key factors that attracted the attention of major European clubs, including Manchester City, which now seeks to sign him to strengthen its midfield.
