Manchester City have held initial talks over Ayyoub Bouaddi, viewing the Lille midfielder as a target for the future, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Four clubs are involved in the race, with PSG yet to advance their interest as they prioritise other targets elsewhere.
Arsenal and Liverpool held meetings over Bouaddi before the World Cup and have been tracking him for some time, while Hugo Viana has moved from monitoring to direct contact with Lille over a potential deal.
City’s interest comes with a specific deal in mind. The plan being discussed is to complete a signing this summer but allow Bouaddi to return to Lille on loan for a further season, with the 18-year-old then joining Enzo Maresca’s squad at the Etihad ahead of 2027-28.
Lille are said to be demanding between €80-100m (£68-86m), with the French club open to a structure that includes a loan-back to continue his development.
Bouaddi has been in fine form for Morocco at the World Cup, which has only sharpened competing interest. City are reported to be best positioned among the suitors following their agreement to sign Elliot Anderson from Forest, with the Bouaddi pursuit seen as part of a longer-term plan around Rodri’s future at the club.
Early days, but a name worth filing away. Watch this space
