Man City target Bouaddi in £200m midfield overhaul as Rodri's future clouds picture

Manchester City are targeting Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi in a move that would take their summer midfield spending beyond £200 million, as Enzo Maresca looks to address a growing problem at the heart of his squad. The Blues have already signed Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for a club-record £116 million, and Bouaddi — valued at £85 million by Lille — is now firmly in their sights.

The 18-year-old Moroccan has caught the eye at the World Cup with his attacking instincts, pressing intensity and composure on the biggest stage. Bouaddi made his Lille debut at 16 and produced a standout performance when the French club defeated Real Madrid in the Champions League on his 17th birthday. Lille are seeking £85 million for the teenager, though there is scope for negotiation — particularly if the buying club agree to loan him back to the Stade Pierre-Mauroy for the coming season.

The urgency behind City’s pursuit is sharpened by uncertainty surrounding Rodri. The Spain international is set to undergo surgery on an injury sustained at the World Cup and is unlikely to be available for the start of the Premier League campaign. He is also entering the final year of his contract and has continued to be linked with a move to Real Madrid, leaving City potentially exposed at the base of midfield.

Bouaddi is seen as a long-term partner for Anderson — a box-to-box operator with a high ceiling who has yet to score a senior goal but has already demonstrated he can hold his own in one of Europe’s top five leagues. His profile away from the pitch has also drawn admiration: he is described as a grounded professional with a dedication to his sport and an academic interest in mathematics.

The need for a reliable midfield solution has been a recurring theme at the Etihad in recent seasons, a problem now deepened by Bernardo Silva’s departure to Real Madrid. The Portuguese, a trusted figure under Pep Guardiola, leaves a significant gap that City have been trying to plan around for some time.

Previous attempts to solve the puzzle have yielded mixed results. Nico Gonzalez arrived from Porto for £50 million 18 months ago and showed early promise before his involvement became sporadic. Tijjani Reijnders, signed for £46.3 million last summer, delivered a brilliant debut at Wolves but never fully nailed down a starting berth, making 19 league starts across the season. Both players remain at the club heading into pre-season, but neither has yet provided the consistent answer City are searching for.

Whether Bouaddi can do so remains to be seen, but City’s willingness to spend heavily again underlines how seriously Maresca views the midfield rebuild as the defining task of this transfer window.