Big Six Club ‘Preparing’ to Sign Wonderkid
There are some fantastic wonderkids being produced in the world of football at the moment. Now, one of them might be on his way to the Premier League.
Ayyoub Bouaddi is an absolute superstar. A midfield general at the age of just 18, the way he commands the middle of the park is utterly spell-binding. Manchester City have recognised this and are looking to make a deal happen.
Enzo Maresca likes his teams to play free-flowing football, but he also likes them to retain possession. To this end, Bouaddi would be a brilliant addition to the Sky Blues’ ranks.
According to a recent report from journalist Nicolo Schira on X (formerly Twitter), City have ‘already agreed’ personal terms with the player. To this end, it seems apparent that he is willing to join the club.
However, they have not agreed on a transfer fee with LOSC Lille yet, having made an offer of just under £77 million. As such, until this is ironed out, a move cannot officially take place.
Furthermore, City aren’t the only club who want to bring Bouaddi on board. Arsenal have been in pursuit of the player since the start of the transfer window, as have Barcelona, PSG and Real Madrid (via BBC Sport). As well as this, Manchester United have also been consistently named amongst his potential suitors.
Likewise, Chelsea have also been linked with a move for the Moroccan international, according to a report from BBC Sport back in June.
Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool are also in the mix, according to a post on X from Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna back in June.
Competition for Bouaddi’s signature is certainly fierce, but City appear to be leading the pack as things stand. Can they land their man?
Ayyoub Bouaddi 2025/26 Ligue 1 stats
| Games | Goals | Assists | |
| Bouaddi | 30 | 0 | 1 |
Ayyoub Bouaddi 2026 World Cup stats
| Games | Goals | Assists | |
| Bouaddi | 5 | 0 | 0 |
What would Ayyoub Bouaddi bring to Manchester City?
A composed, technically-astute central midfielder who likes to dictate the tempo of games, Bouaddi can allow Manchester City to control the middle of the park.
While they already have Rodri and Nico Gonzalez to fulfil this role, Bouaddi would be a fantastic option for the future. At just 18 years of age, his skillset is already frighteningly complete.
He excels as a cultured playmaker, but his tackling and defensive skills are also very strong. He reads the game extremely well, allowing him to latch onto loose passes and cause turnovers in possession.
He isn’t the greatest goalscorer in the world, nor is he a particularly impressive creator. This isn’t his role – he is the base from which attacking moves make their start, rather than the finishing point. However, as he matures, this may come in time.
Bouaddi often isn’t content with simply moving the ball backwards or sideways, either. He likes to move the ball forward, whether passing it or carrying it, for better and for worse. Nevertheless, his bravery in possession is very refreshing.
