Man City move for £85m Bouaddi and still want Fernandez

Manchester City are in advanced negotiations with Lille for Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, who impressed during the World Cup as part of Morocco's quarter-final run. The 18-year-old is valued at £85.6 million by Lille and City aims to conclude the transfer this week after selling Rodri to Barcelona. Should City successfully sign both Bouaddi and Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez, they would complete a trio of pricey midfield acquisitions following the arrival of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest.

Bouaddi's standout performance in Lille's 2024 Champions League victory over Real Madrid propelled him to the forefront of the football world. The 88 appearances he has made for Lille since his debut at 16, including helping the team finish third in Ligue 1 last season, attest to his capabilities. Meanwhile, Spain's Rodri is set to join Barcelona for £65 million, having made 298 appearances for City since his 2019 signing.