Manchester City face fresh obstacle in pursuit of Ayyoub Bouaddi as Lille stand firm
By Joel Masibo, August 1, 2026Manchester City’s bid to bring highly rated midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi to the Etihad has suffered another setback after Lille president Olivier Letang insisted the French club expects the teenager to remain for the upcoming season.
City have been heavily linked with the 18-year-old, who enhanced his growing reputation with impressive performances for Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Bouaddi featured in five matches as the Atlas Lions reached the quarter-finals, producing one of his standout displays against Brazil by completing 60 passes during the group-stage encounter. His display also saw him become the second-youngest player ever to register at least 50 completed passes in a World Cup match.
Following those performances, the Premier League champions were widely viewed as the leading contenders to secure his signature. However, Lille remain determined to keep hold of one of their brightest young talents.
Speaking during a press conference on Friday, Letang reaffirmed the club’s position.
“I told you last time that I thought Ayyoub (Bouaddi) was going to stay with us, and I still stand by that.
“The idea remains the same: to have a competitive team. If clubs come in at the end of the transfer window for a particular position and we’re not in a position to replace the player, then we won’t go ahead with the deal.
“We’re in regular contact with Ayyoub (Bouaddi); he’s not in a hurry to leave, and he’s very keen to stay here too. When you’re 18 and at a club like LOSC, where you have the opportunity to play a significant number of matches – including in the Champions League – you naturally ask yourself, why leave now? […] I’ll let him speak for himself when the time is right.”
Despite Lille’s confidence, reports indicate the Ligue 1 outfit could still consider offers worth at least £85.6 million for the midfielder, whose current contract runs until 2029.
Bouaddi has already amassed 96 senior appearances for Lille, contributing four assists across all competitions. Last season, he established himself as a regular in the starting lineup, making 28 Ligue 1 starts.
While City’s interest is unlikely to disappear immediately, the club may have to explore alternative midfield targets should negotiations fail to progress.
Another issue facing the English champions is the uncertainty surrounding Rodri’s future. The midfielder continues to attract strong interest from Real Madrid, with speculation growing that the reigning Ballon d’Or winner could make the switch to Spain before the transfer window closes.
If Rodri departs, City could revive their pursuit of Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, although the Argentine offers a different profile rather than being a direct replacement for the Spaniard.
Other potential options remain available in the Premier League, with Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Bournemouth’s Alex Scott also attracting attention while their long-term futures remain unresolved.