Manchester City has stepped up its moves to sign Moroccan Ayyoub Bouaddi, the French Lille midfielder, placing him at the top of its options to strengthen the midfield during the summer transfer window, after his name emerged among the most prominent young talents in Europe.

The Athletic website reported, in a report on Tuesday, that the English club intensified its contacts to close the deal, benefiting from the impressive performances the player has delivered, both with Lille and during his participation with the Moroccan national team in the 2026 World Cup, which strengthened his position on the radar of several major clubs.

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City's interest in Bouaddi came after its efforts to sign Italian Sandro Tonali stalled, which led the club's management to shift its focus towards the 18-year-old Moroccan talent, considering him the most prominent option to bolster the midfield. Although Lille was planning to keep the player for an additional season, the report indicated that the French club might agree to sell him if it receives an offer close to 85 million pounds, a figure that may limit competition for the deal but does not pose a major obstacle to Manchester City's financial capabilities. Bouaddi's contract with Lille extends until the summer of 2029, while his market value is estimated at around 50 million euros, as his stock continues to rise after his impressive performances domestically and internationally.