The Moroccan international Ayoub Bouaddi, midfielder for Lille, has come close to transferring to Manchester City's ranks during the summer transfer window, in order to bolster the sky-blue team in the new season.
The 18-year-old has caught the eye with the "Atlas Lions" in the 2026 World Cup, attracting the attention of many major European clubs, topped by Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Liverpool.
According to journalist Florian Plettenberg, a transfer market specialist, Bouaddi has reached a verbal agreement with Manchester City, while negotiations are still ongoing with Lille club.
The Sky network journalist added, via his official page on the "X" platform, that there are other European clubs monitoring Bouaddi's situation, but Manchester City remains at the forefront of the race.
The Moroccan international holds a contract with his French club until the summer of 2029, with his market value estimated at 80 million euros, according to the global "Transfermarkt" website.
Bouaddi has participated with the first team in 96 matches, during which he created four goals, without scoring any.