Manchester City’s 2027 chase for World Cup prodigy Ayyoub Bouaddi

Manchester City are reportedly preparing a summer 2027 move for Lille’s 18‑year‑old midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. The Moroccan World Cup standout has already logged 30 Ligue 1 appearances for Lille and featured in the tournament’s knockout phase. The club will be led by newly appointed coach Enzo Maresca, whose appointment is set for the coming weeks. City are also finalising a club‑record £116 million transfer for Scottish midfielder Elliot Anderson. Sporting director Hugo Viana is concentrating on long‑term succession planning as part of the club’s strategy. City’s recruitment model traditionally targets players before their market values peak to preserve technical superiority.

England's Anderson set for £116m City move before World Cup tie

Bouaddi’s Ligue 1 season saw him make 30 senior appearances for Lille, demonstrating tactical maturity. He also gained European experience in the Europa League and has become a key figure for Mohamed Ouahbi’s Morocco side at the World Cup. Fabrizio Romano explained that Lille secured a new contract with Bouaddi before the World Cup, allowing them to control any future deal. He added that Manchester City have genuine interest in the teenager for a possible summer‑2027 transfer, while Paris Saint‑Germain, Arsenal and Liverpool have also been in contact with his representatives. As the summer window approaches, City are monitoring a £45 million price cap on Chelsea’s Malo Gusto and a £100 million valuation for Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali. Viana will need to keep a close eye on Bouaddi’s situation to ensure the club’s preferred timeline is not disrupted by early bids.