Manchester City are close to concluding talks for Lille’s £85million-rated midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi as Barcelona press to sign Rodri.
Bouaddi, the 18-year-old Morocco international, started on the bench for Lille in their friendly at Everton on Saturday and coach Davide Ancelotti confirmed negotiations.
Lille have been fighting to keep the midfielder for one more season, but City and the player want to seal a move now, which is expected to come at a premium.
‘Of course, there are negotiations,’ admitted Ancelotti. ‘There is interest from so many clubs. He is a really, really good player and I hope that he is going to stay with us!
‘He is incredibly intelligent on and off the pitch, he is really mature. He is 18-years-old but he looks like he is 32 when he is on the pitch.
‘He’s going to be one of the best midfielders in Europe for the next 10 years.’
Manchester City are close to sealing an £85million move for Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi
The teenager’s arrival at City would help offset the loss of Spain captain Rodri who is set on a move to Barcelona.
The Spanish champions have made a third proposal worth around £60m for the 30-year-old and hope that City agree on a compromise to sell.
City maintain an interest in midfielder Enzo Fernandez despite Chelsea’s Friday’s deadline passing without the necessary £120m bid being made.
Tottenham are also expected to make an offer for City winger Savinho.
Fernandez was booed by Chelsea fans on his first home appearance of pre-season on Saturday in an awkward, mixed reception.
The atmosphere turned bizarre when he was introduced after an hour, with sections of the crowd booing him while others proudly sang his name.
That continued when he had the ball in midfield, too, with disgruntled boos followed by encouraging chants.
Manchester City have been front-runners, but Chelsea set suitors an unofficial deadline of 5pm Friday to make a sufficient offer as they want their squad fixed before their season opener against Fulham on August 24.
Although that deadline passed without an offer, it remains to be seen if a £120m bid between now and September 1 would test their resolve.
