Man City 'reach Ayyoub Bouaddi agreement' with Elliot Anderson set to finalise £116m transfer | OneFootball

Man City are set to overhaul their midfield

Manchester City are closing in on the signing of Ayyoub Bouaddi, as Elliot Anderson prepares to finalise his move.

Man City have been rather quiet in the summer transfer window so far, with their confirmed signings not expected to have any impact on the first-team picture next season.

Mathys Detourbet has arrived from sister club Troyes, though has been loaned out to Monaco for the season. The same applies to goalkeeper Pierce Charles as he will continue his development in the Championship with Queens Park Rangers (QPR).

Elsewhere, City have pipped Arsenal to the signing of highly-rated youngster Jeremy Monga and it would appear they are set to sign another of the Gunners’ transfer targets.

Arsenal have been among those interested in Bouaddi and held initial talks over a summer deal as Mikel Arteta sought to bolster his midfield options ahead of the new season.

However, reports in Italy claim Man City are now leading the race for the Morocco international’s signature, reaching an agreement in principle with the Lille midfielder for a contract until 2031.

City still have to reach an agreement with Lille over a transfer fee, though chairman Olivier Letang has suggested north of £100million will be enough.

He said: "When I see Anderson move to Manchester City for £116 million and Tonali to Tottenham for £100 million, and they don’t have the potential for development that Ayyoub has because he possesses unique qualities.

“I have a price in mind, and we’ll see what happens."

Ayyoub Bouaddi enjoyed an impressive World Cup campaign with Morocco

Getty

Speaking of Anderson, he is set to finalise his transfer from Nottingham Forest following England’s exit from the World Cup.

Upon confirming an agreement was in place with Forest, City stated: “Anderson, 23, is currently competing at the FIFA World Cup with England and has completed a medical in Kansas.

“The formalities of the move will be finalised upon his return to England.”