Ayyoub Bouaddi caught the eye at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Morocco after switching international allegiances ahead of the tournament.
The Lille midfielder has attracted attention from several top clubs, including Liverpool and Real Madrid, after impressing during Morocco’s opening match against Brazil in New Jersey.
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Bouaddi has previously held talks with Liverpool and Arsenal, while Chelsea have also monitored his progress. The 18-year-old is regarded as a long-term target for Manchester City, who have reportedly stepped up their interest.
City have made contact with Lille and are said to have agreed personal terms with the teenager, while negotiations over a transfer fee are ongoing.
If a deal is completed, Bouaddi could join Enzo Maresca’s first-team squad this season or return to Lille on loan to continue his development in Ligue 1.
Lille president Olivier Letang has confirmed the club have received “concrete offers” for Ayyoub Bouaddi but insists he expects the midfielder to remain with the French side despite growing transfer interest.
Olivier Letang said: “Ayyoub’s situation is exactly as I described last time. It hasn’t changed. I’ve been saying this for weeks now: there isn’t a club interested, and it’s actually surprising to see how some rumours can gain traction, talking about a swap deal with a club that plays in light blue.
“No, that’s not true! There is indeed interest from very, very big clubs, and as I’ve already said, very few can afford Ayyoub right now.
“But there’s no further development beyond that. There’s always interest, there are always offers from these big clubs. But for now, the situation remains the same.
“What I said last time, namely that I thought Ayyoub would stay with us, I still stand by that. Today, the only truth is that he is 100% a LOSC player. Concrete offers? Yes, there have been concrete offers. But no (they weren’t satisfactory) because Ayyoub is a very important player for us.
“We have to be realistic, and there are figures where it would be a mistake, firstly not to anticipate and secondly not to complete such a transfer,” Letang added when asked if a €100million offer was expected for the midfielder.
“Now, in a transfer, there are three parties: the two clubs and the player. The player’s wishes are also important, and therefore these must be confidential discussions between Ayyoub and me. So, I don’t have to comment here.”