Manchester City Target Bouaddi as Transfer Window Closes
Manchester City are moving with purpose. The Premier League champions are confident of landing Lille’s highly rated midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi before the transfer window shuts, with an £85m deal on the table and a five-year contract expected.
Jeremy Cross reports that City believe they are well placed to bring the Morocco international to the Etihad, as Enzo Maresca looks to reload his midfield before the new campaign kicks off.
“Any new signing, any new player, for sure as soon as they arrive it's better,” Maresca said. “Because we're going to start the Premier League in one week. If they start to work with us as soon as possible, it's better if they can also understand the way we need to play.”
Lille, though, are not rolling over.
Lille dig in as Ancelotti talks up his star
Bouaddi remains at the heart of Lille’s plans, at least publicly. He came off the bench to play the second half in their 1-1 draw with Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday, and his manager Davide Ancelotti made it clear he still counts on him.
“Bouaddi is a very good player,” Ancelotti said. “He is available and he played 45 minutes. But that is only because I have to manage his minutes. Next week we start the season and I consider him as an available player for me.
“Of course, there are negotiations. 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.”
Pressed on what sets the 18-year-old apart, Ancelotti did not hold back.
“He has a huge personality. 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.
“Technically he is really complete. He is also physical, really strong in duels. He’s going to be one of the best midfielders in Europe for the next ten years.”
That is the level of talent City are trying to prise away. And Lille know it.
United juggle budget, exits and a captain in demand
Across Manchester, the tone is different. Manchester United are shopping, but not in the same aisle.
With Michael Carrick overseeing a rebuild, United are still chasing a central midfielder and a left-back, yet are expected to lean towards cheaper, lower-profile targets for their final moves of the summer.
The club have already spent heavily: Andrey Santos arrived from Chelsea for £50m, followed by Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa after United triggered his £35m release clause. Those two deals have gone straight into the heart of the team.
They needed to. Casemiro has gone.
The Brazil international’s contract at Old Trafford expired and the former Real Madrid midfielder has joined David Beckham-owned Inter Miami on a free transfer, leaving a sizeable gap in experience at the base of midfield.
At least one more signing in that area is under consideration.
Carrick, though, insists the early business has been strong.
“I think we’ve done really good business and we’ve got really some top, top, top players,” he said. “We’re delighted with that. We always want to improve. We want more, we need more, we keep looking for how we can do that. That never stops.”
While Carrick pushes for reinforcements, his most important player is attracting attention from abroad.
Galatasaray test United’s resolve over Bruno Fernandes
Galatasaray are trying to muscle into the European spotlight. To keep pace with the headline-grabbing work of Fenerbahce and Besiktas, the Turkish giants are reportedly piecing together a lucrative package for Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes.
The Independent report that the Super Lig side want to make a statement by moving for the 31-year-old playmaker.
United’s stance is blunt. Fernandes is not for sale.
Fresh from a record-breaking Premier League assist campaign that dragged United back into the Champions League, the Portugal international remains central to the club’s plans. He is in the final year of his deal, but United hold a one-year extension option and will not consider a sale on the eve of the season.
Galatasaray may push. United are ready to push back.
Juventus move for Vicario after Martinez deal collapses
In north London, another goalkeeper saga is unfolding.
Juventus have approached Tottenham Hotspur over Guglielmo Vicario, with the Italian goalkeeper edging towards a return home. The 29-year-old watched from the stands as Spurs faced Hoffenheim in a friendly at the weekend, waiting for clarity on his future.
Juve are now in direct talks with Tottenham over a loan move that would include an option to make the transfer permanent next summer, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The switch in targets comes after Juventus pulled the plug on a deal for Emi Martinez. That move broke down over the price gap between the clubs, and the situation shifted again once Aston Villa reached an agreement to sign Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.
Vicario, who only joined Spurs last summer, now stands at the centre of Juve’s goalkeeping reshuffle.
Arteta and Maresca still pushing as clock ticks
While City chase Bouaddi and United weigh up their next steps, Arsenal are also scrambling to plug gaps.
Mikel Arteta named just one defender among his substitutes and did not try to hide the issue.
“We know that there are certain areas that, through injuries, we are weaker and we need to strengthen,” he said. “We are trying to do that, we've been trying to do that for weeks, so only the right opportunity and the club is able to do it. We will do it.”
The theme is the same across England’s elite: business done, but not finished.
City want Bouaddi in the building immediately. Lille want one more season from their prodigy. United want bargains that still move the needle. Galatasaray want a marquee name. Juventus want a reliable No 1. Arsenal want fit defenders.
The window is closing. The needs are obvious. Who blinks first?
