Man City hold direct talks to sign £69m Arsenal and Liverpool transfer target

Manchester City have joined Arsenal and Liverpool in the race to sign breakout World Cup star Ayyoub Bouaddi, according to reports.

The 18-year-old is one of the most highly rated young players in Ligue 1, with his form earning him a place in Morocco’s squad for the World Cup this summer.

And Bouaddi has enhanced his burgeoning reputation with a series of commanding performances at the heart of his nation’s midfield as the 2022 semi-finalists finished second behind Brazil in Group C.

The teenager was already attracting interest before the tournament, with reports suggesting Arsenal have maintained regular contact with the midfielder’s entourage since January last year.

Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are also considering a move for Bouaddi, who Lille reportedly value at around €80million (£69m).

And reports in Spain now suggest that City are also keen to sign the Moroccan and have held direct talks with Lille already over a possible transfer.

City are already poised to complete a mammoth £116m deal for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, but could be keen for further reinforcements in the middle of the park.

However, Fabrizio Romano suggests that City are not currently looking to sign Bouaddi this summer, telling his YouTube channel: ‘Manchester City have genuine interest in Bouaddi. He’s one of the players being considered by Manchester City eventually for summer 2027.

‘I’m told that Paris Saint-Germain have also been in touch with people close to the player. PSG have different priorities in attack and defence, but Paris Saint-Germain have also been in touch with people close to the player to understand the situation.

‘Arsenal and Liverpool had meetings before the World Cup for this boy, so both clubs were already tracking him. Manchester City are in a conversation for 2027, so there is going to be a lot of movement.’

Speaking earlier in the World Cup, former France striker Olivier Giroud heaped praise on Bouaddi, describing his Lille teammate as a ‘complete’ player.

‘I’ve been amazed by his maturity and also his entourage is really good,’ Giroud told BBC Radio 5 Live. ‘His head is well done in the sense that he is calm, confident, he’s staying himself.

‘It’s a gift to have him in the team and I think Morocco is very, very pleased to have him. He’s shown that from the first game and I think that’s just the beginning… 18 years old!

‘I was talking with friends and they sent me pictures of Patrick Vieira and Sergio Busquets. They said he was a mix of both. He’s not yet as good as Sergio Busquets technically but still, he’s got some skills. Patrick Vieira… maybe there’s a lack of power to compare with Patrick Vieira, but he will get stronger and bigger.

‘Over £60-70m, the prices now, I think it’s going to be tough to keep him at Lille, but he’s a complete player, he’s very versatile, he’s all over the place, a bit like N’Golo Kante.’

Asked about speculation over his future, Bouaddi recently told The Athletic: ‘I’m really happy to know that some clubs are interested in me.

‘But for now I’m only focused on the World Cup and we will try to give everything to do our best.’

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