Lille president backs Bouaddi to stay despite £85m Man City interest

Lille president Olivier Letang has pushed back on speculation linking Ayyoub Bouaddi with Manchester City, saying he is convinced the 18-year-old midfielder will stay in France for at least another season despite the Premier League club’s reported interest.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Letang acknowledged that very few clubs could afford a player of Bouaddi’s calibre at his age but stopped short of ruling out a sale entirely. “Everything is possible, but my opinion is that he should stay with us another season,” he said. “My conviction is that there is a strong chance that he stays with us and he would be very happy to do so.”

Lille are understood to be holding out for £85m if they do agree to sell Bouaddi this summer, and the French club would also prefer any deal to include a loan-back arrangement for the following season. City, however, are said to want the midfielder to join Enzo Maresca’s squad immediately.

Bouaddi caught the eye during Morocco’s run at this summer’s World Cup, accelerating his emergence as one of European football’s most sought-after young midfielders. City’s interest in reinforcing their midfield has intensified following the £116m signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, but further additions remain on the agenda. Rodri is entering the final year of his contract, while the futures of Nico Gonzalez, Mateo Kovacic, and Tijjani Reijnders remain uncertain.

Letang was careful not to disclose any figures in his briefing. “I have never spoken about figures, and I won’t start today because I’m not the one who sets them,” he said. “There are very few clubs capable of signing a player of Bouaddi’s quality at just 18 years old. What matters most is the overall project, his development path, and finding the best environment for him to continue growing.”

City’s squad is due to return for pre-season on Monday, with Gianluigi Donnarumma, Phil Foden, and Rico Lewis among those expected at Maresca’s first training session. Players who featured at the World Cup will be given an extended break in line with FIFPRO’s recommendation of at least four uninterrupted weeks. The club’s first pre-season fixture is scheduled for August 1 against Inter, before a Community Shield meeting with Arsenal on August 16 and a Premier League opener at home to AFC Bournemouth the following week.