Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United have contacted 18-year-old midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi

Manchester City intend to sign 18-year-old midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille for €100m (£85m). The French-born player stands 6ft 1in tall and impressed for Morocco at the World Cup this summer, starting five of the team's six matches including the 2-0 quarter-final defeat to France. That tournament appearance was only his eighth international cap.

Bouaddi 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 the 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 signing 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. City, Arsenal and Manchester United have contacted the player's camp over the past 12 months, though 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.