Manchester City have emerged as the frontrunners to sign Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, with Fabrizio Romano confirming the club have genuine interest and have opened conversations with the French side. City's proposal involves signing the 18-year-old in the summer of 2027, allowing him another year of development at Lille while securing the deal now. Bouaddi has been one of the standout players at the World Cup, impressing for Morocco in their 1-1 draw with Brazil in the group stage and drawing comparisons to a future elite.
Arsenal and Chelsea had both been in the race, with the Gunners having a £60m bid rejected earlier this month. Lille are understood to prefer a Premier League destination for Bouaddi over another French club, which gives City a structural advantage despite PSG also being keen admirers. Real Madrid had scouted him closely but Mourinho has since shifted focus to Enzo Fernandez. With Elliot Anderson already signed for £116m, Bouaddi would represent City's second major midfield investment of the summer.