Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca
Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca
Morocco World Cup sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi has chosen his next club, deciding to join Manchester City despite links with Manchester United. City have already been busy in the summer transfer window, splashing out £116million on midfielder Elliot Anderson alone, but they are now moving to further improve their midfield.
United also find themselves in need of a new midfielder as they look to add a third midfield signing to the signings of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans. Michael Carrick still needs to replace Casemiro with a dominant pivot, and Bouaddi was one of the serious links, with the 18-year-old having regularly dominated against more senior opponents at the World Cup.
Man City win Bouaddi race
Ayyoub Bouaddi in action for Morocco at the 2026 World Cup
Burt Granofsky/Cal Sport Media/Sipa USA
Bouaddi now looks to have landed his Premier League move, now set to join Manchester City. Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has reported: "Ayyoub Bouaddi and his camp have now reached an agreement on personal terms with Manchester City. #MCFC expected to seal the deal with Lille as next step, already advanced as Bouaddi preference would be to join City NOW — rather than in 2027."
Bouaddi is currently with Lille, but still only 18 years of age, City may fel as though the midfielder is better off playing regularly where he is now, rather than potentially on the bench at the Etihad Stadium. While Bouaddi was a sensation in the World Cup, international tournament football is typically of a lower standard than top-end club football. United would likely feel as though they have missing out on Bouaddi is a blow, but they do not appear to have pressed on with their interest. The midfielder is expected to cost around £86million, and United are going to prioritise a player who is ready to make a big difference now if they are going to spend that sort of money.
Man City's spending so far this summer
Elliot Anderson - £116m
Mathys Detourbet - £21.4m
Jeremy Monga - £10m
Pierce Charles - £3m
Bouaddi is a luxury City can afford, and Man Utd cannot
Bouaddi
via Reuters
Rio Ferdinand called for United to sign Bouaddi this summer. He said: "I would go and get Bouaddi, the 18-year-old midfielder. 100 per cent I’m taking him, building stuff around him.” But United need a ready-made Casemiro replacement, while City can afford to sign for the future having already signed Anderson, who will likely replace Rodri in the heart of their midfield, with the Spaniard seemingly on his way to Barcelona this summer.
Enzo Maresca has a particular talent in working with young players and developing them into first-team players, which will also be an attractive point for Bouaddi, who has been described as 'unique' by Lille president Oilivier Letang.
enzo maresca-1
enzo maresca-1