City in advanced talks for Bouaddi, 18

Manchester City is in advanced negotiations with Lille to sign Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, according to BBC Sport. The Premier League side aim to wrap up the deal this week, having already secured Rodri's departure to Barcelona.

The French club value the 18-year-old at around €100 million (£85.6m). Bouaddi has emerged as one of Europe's brightest talents following his standout performance at this summer's World Cup, where he started five of Morocco's six matches on their run to the quarter-finals.

From Madrid masterclass to City target

The midfielder had already made his mark on the big stage after playing a starring role in Lille's Champions League victory over Real Madrid in 2024. Since his debut in October 2023—just three days after turning 16—he has made 88 appearances for the Ligue 1 club and was instrumental in their third-place finish last season.

Bouaddi operates as a deep-lying playmaker and would complement City's summer signing Elliot Anderson, who is comfortable as a box-to-box midfielder and in the number six role for England. The Moroccan's arrival could plug the gap left by Rodri's exit, though it remains unclear whether securing Bouaddi would impact City's lingering interest in Chelsea's Enzo Fernández.