Manchester City launch direct contacts with Lille over Ayyoub Bouaddi | OneFootball

Lille have received direct contact from Manchester City officials over the future of Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, as per new reports.

Bouaddi has emerged as one of the most coveted young midfield talents in European football over the past 12 months, with the 18-year-old’s composure, technical quality and maturity in Lille’s midfield drawing admiring glances from clubs across the continent.

Manchester City‘s interest in the Moroccan had been previously reported, but the latest update suggests that director of football Hugo Viana has now moved beyond monitoring, with officials making direct contact with Lille to open dialogue over a potential deal this summer.

The development arrives in the wake of City’s club record agreement to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest and amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding the long-term future of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri at the Etihad Stadium.

City best positioned for Bouaddi as direct contacts revealed

According to ESPN Deportes journalist Javier Rodríguez Pascual, Manchester City are now best positioned to sign Bouaddi from Lille, with the report noting that their pursuit remains live despite the arrival of Anderson and pending what happens with regards to Rodri’s future at the club.

Further reporting from Matteo Moretto has reinforced that, describing City as being very interested in the 18-year-old, while also confirming that direct contacts have already taken place with Lille over a potential move for the Morocco international this summer.

The combination of two independent sources corroborating both the level of City’s interest and the existence of direct contact with Lille lends the report considerably more weight than earlier, more speculative links had carried.

What would Bouaddi’s signing mean for Man City’s midfield rebuild?

Incoming Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca‘s midfield rebuild is already taking shape with the imminent arrival of Anderson but Viana’s apparent pursuit of Bouaddi suggests the club’s ambitions in that area of the pitch extend considerably further than a single signing this summer.

Should Rodri’s situation resolve in a manner that sees the Spaniard depart on a free transfer in 2027, the need for a further addition would become more pressing – and Bouaddi’s profile, young, technical and already proven at a high level in Ligue 1 – would represent a long-term investment.

At 18, Bouaddi would arrive with years of development ahead of him, fitting closely into the model of recruitment that Viana has consistently favoured since replacing Txiki Begiristain as sporting director – players who can grow within a system rather than merely supplement it.

Whether a deal can be structured to meet Lille’s expectations for one of their most prized assets remains to be seen but confirmation of direct contact marks a meaningful escalation in what could yet become one of the most exciting signings of City’s summer window.