Manchester City pursue Ayyoub Bouaddi as Rodri linked with Barcelona move

By Joel Kavanagh — 11 August 2026 — 3 min read

Manchester City’s Midfield Pursuits

Manchester City are in ongoing discussions with Lille regarding the transfer of midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. Personal terms have reportedly been established with the Morocco international, who is 18 years old. Both clubs are working towards an agreement for the player.

Lille reportedly values Bouaddi at 100m euros. Another report indicates that Lille could demand 130 million euros for the midfielder. Bouaddi is considered a primary target for Manchester City this summer.

The 18-year-old midfielder garnered attention during the 2026 World Cup, particularly after a performance in Morocco’s 1-1 draw with Brazil. This display reportedly attracted interest from several leading European clubs.

Transfer Movements and Player Interest

In related news, Manchester City does not consider talks with Barcelona for midfielder Rodri to be active, following an initial offer that was deemed insufficient. Rodri is expected to report back to City on Friday after his post-World Cup break. He has one year remaining on his current deal, and City is interested in a renewal.

Barcelona is reportedly considering a new offer for the 30-year-old. Alongside Bouaddi, Manchester City has expressed interest in other midfielders, including Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez, who is on their shortlist for the summer. Fernandez previously worked with City’s new manager, Enzo Maresca, at Chelsea.

Regarding potential departures from Manchester City, the club is aware of interest from Nottingham Forest in Netherlands midfielder Tijjani Reijnders. Reijnders was acquired from AC Milan last summer. Mateo Kovacic is expected to remain at the Etihad for the final year of his contract.

Other European Transfer Speculations

Elsewhere in Europe, Real Madrid is reportedly interested in signing World Cup-winning Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi, 25, from Premier League champions Arsenal. Real Madrid is also said to be interested in Inter Milan and Italy defender Alessandro Bastoni, 27, and Crystal Palace and England midfielder Adam Wharton, 22. The club is reportedly looking to make three more summer signings.

Barcelona and Tottenham have both made inquiries to Bayern Munich regarding England forward Harry Kane, 33, for a potential summer transfer. Arsenal and Brazil forward Gabriel Jesus, 29, is reportedly open to a move to Napoli this summer. AS Roma has held initial discussions with representatives for Gabriel Martinelli, 25, an Arsenal and Brazil winger, as they explore a transfer.

Bradley Barcola, 23, a Paris St-Germain and France forward, has reportedly indicated a preference for Liverpool, despite a late approach from Arsenal. Barcola is valued at about £130m. Marseille and Denmark midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, 31, has declined an offer to join Newcastle.

Manchester United is reportedly considering a move for RB Leipzig and Germany defender David Raum, 28, after not securing England left-back Lewis Hall, 21, from Newcastle. Tottenham and England defender Djed Spence, 26, is once again a target for Inter Milan, following difficulties in signing Moussa Diaby from Al-Ittihad.

Jamie Vardy could potentially return to English football, with Championship side West Ham reportedly considering a move for the 39-year-old former Leicester City and England striker. Vardy is currently a free agent after his contract with Italian side Cremonese concluded. West Ham is also in discussions with Arsenal to sign Reiss Nelson, the 26-year-old English winger who spent the last two seasons on loan at Brentford and Fulham.

Premier League newcomers Hull City had an offer rejected for Swansea City forward Zan Vipotnik, the 24-year-old Slovenia international who was the top scorer in the Championship last season. Sunderland’s DR Congo defender Arthur Masuaku, 32, is set to return to Turkey as he finalises a move to Konyaspor. Atletico Madrid has made a bid for Lille’s 21-year-old Belgium forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo, who has also attracted interest from Arsenal and Liverpool. Napoli has reopened discussions with Chelsea to finalise a deal for French centre-back Benoit Badiashile, 25.

Source: bbc.co.uk