Ancelotti confirms Manchester City talks for Lille star Ayyoub Bouaddi

Lille manager Davide Ancelotti has confirmed that negotiations are underway with Manchester City over a potential transfer for highly rated midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi.

The 18-year-old has reportedly attracted a €100 million (£85m) offer from Manchester City, with the Premier League champions keen to secure the services of one of Europe’s most promising young midfielders.

Bouaddi made his Ligue 1 debut as a teenager and has continued to build a strong reputation with a series of impressive performances for Lille.

His profile grew even further after representing Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where his displays caught the attention of several major European clubs.

“Of course, there are negotiations. Many clubs are interested in him,” Ancelotti said.

The Lille boss also made clear that he would prefer to keep the talented midfielder at the club.

“He’s a very, very good player and I hope he’ll stay with us.”

However, Manchester City are understood to have reached an agreement with Lille over Bouaddi, with the transfer now reportedly moving towards completion.

The potential departure would represent a major financial boost for Lille, while giving Manchester City another exciting young talent to add to their squad.

For Bouaddi, a move to the Etihad would represent a significant step in his rapidly developing career and an opportunity to work under Pep Guardiola at one of Europe’s leading clubs.