Manchester City Pursue Ayyoub Bouaddi Deal as Lille Coach Confirms Talks

Manchester City have stepped up their pursuit of Ayyoub Bouaddi, with Lille head coach Davide Ancelotti confirming negotiations are underway for one of the summer’s standout young stars.

The 18-year-old midfielder lit up the World Cup with Morocco, starting in all but one of their matches as they surged to the quarter-finals. His performances on the biggest stage only underlined what Ligue 1 watchers already knew from last season: this is a player accelerating through the ranks at remarkable speed.

Bouaddi only made his senior international debut in the weeks before the tournament, riding the momentum of a superb campaign with Lille. He helped the French side to a third-place finish in Ligue 1 and a coveted Champions League berth, a rise that has dragged Europe’s elite into the conversation.

Now City appear to be at the front of the queue.

Ancelotti: “Of course, there are negotiations”

Speaking to Ouest France, Davide Ancelotti did not attempt to play down the situation. Asked directly about the links to Manchester City, the Lille coach was clear.

“Of course, there are negotiations. Many clubs are interested in him,” he said.

That admission comes with a hefty valuation attached. A fee of around €100m (£85.5m) has been floated as the number likely to tempt Lille into selling their prize asset. For an 18-year-old with one full Ligue 1 season behind him, it is a statement price – and a measure of how quickly his stock has risen.

Yet Ancelotti stopped well short of conceding defeat.

“He is a very, very good player and I hope he will stay with us,” he added. “The season starts next week and I consider him a player at my disposal.”

For now, at least, Lille are planning with Bouaddi in the squad, even as the transfer noise grows louder.

Limited minutes, big questions

The speculation intensified on Saturday afternoon.

Bouaddi started Lille’s pre-season clash with Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium but was withdrawn at half-time after just 45 minutes. In a summer dominated by rumours over his future, that decision triggered instant debate in the French media: was he being protected ahead of a possible move?

Ancelotti pushed back on that narrative, insisting the change was part of a managed workload rather than a transfer precaution.

“He was physically ready to play and he did play 45 minutes – but that's only because I have to manage his playing time,” the coach explained.

Even so, when a teenager carrying a nine-figure price tag plays only one half in the middle of intense transfer talks, every substitution feels loaded.

City circling as Lille’s season looms

Carlo Ancelotti’s son only took charge at Lille earlier this summer, stepping in after Bruno Genesio’s move to Marseille. He now faces the prospect of losing his most exciting talent before a competitive ball has been kicked.

Lille open their Ligue 1 campaign with a trip to Angers on Sunday afternoon. As it stands, Ancelotti insists Bouaddi remains part of his plans. The reality is more delicate. With negotiations active, a huge offer on the table and one of Europe’s superclubs pushing hard, Lille are walking a tightrope between sporting ambition and financial opportunity.

For Manchester City, this is familiar territory: identify a rising star early, pay big, and trust their environment to turn promise into dominance.

For Lille, the question is simpler, and far more brutal: can they really turn down €100m for an 18-year-old on the eve of the season?