Lille open to €100m sale of 18-year-old midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi amid interest from Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United

Manchester City intend to sign 18-year-old midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille for €100m (£85m), The Guardian reported. Bouaddi, who is French-born and stands 6ft 1in tall, impressed for Morocco at the World Cup this summer. Bouaddi started five of Morocco’s six games at the tournament, including the 2-0 quarter-final defeat to France.

That appearance marked only his eighth international cap. He made his professional debut for Lille against Ki in a Europa Conference League group match in October 2023 at the age of 16 years and three days, becoming the youngest footballer to play in competition at the time. City director of football Hugo Viana admires Bouaddi’s technical ability and positional sense.

Manager Enzo Maresca plans to integrate the player directly into the first-team squad for next season rather than send him on loan. The Guardian reported that signing Bouaddi would take City’s summer outlay to £200m on two players after the £116m acquisition of Elliott Anderson from Nottingham Forest. Lille would consider selling Bouaddi for approximately €100m, according to The Athletic.

City, Arsenal and Manchester United have contacted the player’s camp over the past 12 months. City prefers immediate integration into the squad. In a separate move, Manchester United confirmed the signing of 35-year-old goalkeeper Karl Darlow on a two-year deal after he left Leeds.

Darlow has made 279 career appearances, including 74 in the Premier League, and will provide competition to Senne Lammens. “I am extremely proud to sign for Manchester United,” Darlow said. United director of football Jason Wilcox said Darlow’s work ethic and personality make him a strong addition.