Manchester City have moved into pole position to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi, with Manchester United now playing catch-up in the race for the Lille and Morocco midfielder.
According to a fresh update from Sky Sports News, City are “pushing hard” for Bouaddi ahead of a decision on his future that is “expected soon,” with United understood to have made further checks on the 18-year-old following his breakout World Cup with Morocco. The Athletic’s David Ornstein adds that City are determined to beat United, Liverpool and Arsenal to a player they see as central to Enzo Maresca’s midfield rebuild.
Michael Carrick’s Midfield Rebuild Faces A Fresh Rival
Bouaddi’s stock has soared since Morocco’s run to the World Cup quarter-finals, and Lille are ready to negotiate if the right offer lands. The Athletic reports a valuation of around €100m (£85m) for an immediate sale, dropping closer to €80m if the buying club agrees to loan him straight back to Lille for another season.
That structure could decide the race: City want to integrate Bouaddi immediately, while United are said to be more open to a loan-back arrangement, according to reports. It leaves Carrick’s midfield search facing serious competition just as United close in on Manu Koné as an alternative.
With Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos already through the door this summer, a third midfield addition was always going to be contested — Bouaddi now looks like the toughest of the lot to win.
