Manchester City and Lille are preparing for another round of discussions over Ayyoub Bouaddi, with the move looking advanced but still not complete. Personal terms are in place in principle on a five-year contract, yet Bouaddi remains a Lille player until the two clubs settle the outstanding parts of the agreement.
- Manchester City and Lille are set for further talks over Ayyoub Bouaddi.
- Bouaddi remains a Lille player despite personal terms being agreed in principle on a five-year deal.
- Any possible travel for a medical would depend on the clubs finalising the remaining details.
Ayyoub Bouaddi’s Current Manchester City Situation
Ayyoub Bouaddi is still part of Lille’s squad as Manchester City continue working on a possible deal for the midfielder. The latest step is another round of talks between the clubs, which keeps the move firmly at an advanced stage without pushing it over the line.
City’s progress on the player side appears clearer than the club-to-club picture. Personal terms have been agreed in principle on a five-year contract, but that is separate from a completed transfer, and Bouaddi would only be in a position to travel for a medical if the remaining parts of the deal are resolved.
Davide Ancelotti has confirmed that negotiations are taking place and has also made Lille’s stance plain. He said Bouaddi remains at his disposal ahead of the new season, a reminder that Lille still regard him as their player unless an acceptable agreement is reached.
What Still Needs Resolving Between City and Lille
The unfinished part of this move sits between the two clubs. Manchester City and Lille still have details to iron out on the structure of the agreement, with bonuses among the points under discussion as talks continue.
Bouaddi is rated at €100 million (£87.5 million), adding financial context to the negotiations.
Ancelotti’s wish to keep Bouaddi underlines Lille’s position, so City still need to reach terms that satisfy the club rather than just the player side of the move.
Why Bouaddi Is a Significant Target for Manchester City
Bouaddi is not being chased as a speculative name. He played 30 times in Ligue 1 in 2025/26, starting 28 of those matches and clocking up 2,321 minutes, which underlines how established he already is at senior level.
His summer added another layer to that profile. Bouaddi featured for Morocco at the 2026 World Cup and started three knockout-stage matches, showing he has already handled major occasions beyond domestic football.
Manchester City’s interest also makes sense in the wider shape of their midfield planning after agreeing to sell Rodri to Barcelona. Bouaddi has been described as a deep-lying conductor who could complement Elliot Anderson’s ability to play as a box-to-box midfielder or as a number six.
Ancelotti has gone even further in his assessment, saying Bouaddi could become one of Europe’s best midfielders over the next decade. That kind of upside explains why City are pressing ahead with talks, even if the final step still depends on finding full agreement with Lille.
