Manchester City are frontrunners to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille this summer, with the French club holding firm on a €100m asking price. The figure could fall if a buyer agrees to loan Bouaddi back for a season, but City have shown intent to pay full price. Manchester United remain in talks for the midfielder but have also opened discussions with Barcelona over Marc Casadó, a cheaper alternative valued at €30-40m. The dual pursuit reveals how United's midfield rebuild might play out: a marquee signing if circumstances allow, or a younger prospect if the premium option proves too expensive.
City's push for the teenager
Ben Jacobs told teamtalk.com: "Lille seeking €100m for Ayyoub Bouaddi, as previously revealed. Number would drop for suitors prepared to keep Bouaddi at Lille for a further year. Manchester City a leading contender, as reported last month. Arsenal and Manchester United have also been in talks."
Bouaddi impressed during Morocco's World Cup run to the quarterfinals, appearing in five matches and averaging a 6.63 rating across group and knockout stages. For a teenage midfielder, that tournament experience carries weight; elite clubs view World Cup exposure as a marker of mental resilience. Lille, who finished third in Ligue 1 with 61 points this season, are leveraging both his age and his resume to justify the asking price. The combination makes negotiation difficult—Bouaddi is neither an unproven prospect nor an established star, but a young player with credentials.
Casadó: the €30-40m fallback
If Lille refuse to drop their valuation, Marc Casadó offers a different profile at half the cost. The Barcelona midfielder made just 15 starts across all competitions last season, a run that left him at the fringes of Hansi Flick's plans. Yet his La Masia pedigree means Barcelona are not discounting him lightly. Mundo Deportivo reported: "given his youth and the fact that he's a product of La Masia, Barça believe they can get between 30 and 40 million euros. At least that's the initial asking price."
Manchester United, who finished third in the Premier League this season with 71 points, face a choice that defines their summer ambition. Pursuing Bouaddi signals a willingness to bet heavily on potential; moving for Casadó suggests pragmatism in the face of costs. Michael Carrick's midfield overhaul will take shape based on which direction wins out.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →