---
title: "Man City ready to bring Bouaddi straight into first-team plans, according to report"
canonical: "https://readmancity.com/2026/07/16/man-city-bouaddi-first-team-immediate-plans/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Gary Gowers"
section: "Man City News"
published: "2026-07-16T07:23:11Z"
modified: "2026-09-22T19:08:36Z"
---

# Man City ready to bring Bouaddi straight into first-team plans, according to report

[City](https://readmancity.com/) have told Ayyoub Bouaddi they’re prepared to bring him straight into Enzo Maresca’s first-team squad rather than send him back to Lille on loan, according to [TEAMtalk’s Graeme Bailey](https://x.com/GraemeBailey/status/2077372248227233849).

It marks a shift from City’s earlier openness to a loan-back structure, and comes after Hugo Viana and Maresca held further discussions over the 18-year-old’s development. City are said to believe Bouaddi is already capable of competing for first-team minutes rather than needing another season in Ligue 1.

The change in stance follows City stepping back from a move for Sandro Tonali and growing more reluctant to meet Newcastle’s valuation of Bruno Guimaraes, redirecting their attention toward the Morocco international as a long-term successor to Rodri in midfield.

Bouaddi’s representatives are said to be in talks with a number of clubs, with Arsenal remaining firmly in contention and happy to accommodate either an immediate move or a loan-back, while Liverpool and Manchester United are also credited with interest given City’s shift. Lille are believed to be holding out for a fee in the region of £85m.

It’s the latest twist in a saga that has run since the early weeks of the window, when City were first credited with [interest in Bouaddi as a possible right-back option](https://readmancity.com/2026/07/01/man-city-bouaddi-right-back-maresca/) before their focus settled on his long-term midfield fit. Nothing is decided, and Bouaddi’s own preference on club and pathway still looks like the deciding factor.

*This piece draws on reporting from TEAMtalk and has not been independently confirmed by Manchester City.*