City have reached an agreement in principle over personal terms with Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, according to journalist Nicolò Schira, with the 18-year-old understood to have accepted a contract that would run until June 2031.
It’s the clearest sign yet that City’s long-running interest in the Morocco international is closing in on a breakthrough. City have now opened talks with Lille over a club-to-club fee, with the French side holding out for around €100million (£85m).
Personal terms being agreed first, ahead of a fee, suggests City are moving to lock down Bouaddi’s commitment before negotiating the transfer — and to get ahead of Manchester United and Arsenal, both of whom have also been credited with interest, along with two further unnamed European clubs.
Bouaddi was one of the World Cup’s breakout performers for Morocco this summer, adding to a reputation already built across 42 appearances for Lille last season.
City see him as a long-term, deep-lying midfield option — combative and comfortable in possession, exactly the profile Enzo Maresca and director of football Hugo Viana have prioritised this summer, and one City reportedly believe could go straight into the first team rather than needing a loan spell first.
It’s a deal that sits alongside the broader uncertainty hanging over City’s midfield this summer, with Rodri’s own contract situation still unresolved and Tijjani Reijnders’ future only recently settled in the other direction.
Nothing is finalised on Bouaddi yet — the fee still needs agreeing with Lille — but personal terms being in place marks a real step forward.
