Lille coach confirms Man City talks for Bouaddi
The Lille head coach has publicly addressed the ongoing interest from Manchester City in midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, revealing his preference for the transfer to be delayed.
Lille head coach Davide Ancelotti has confirmed that Manchester City are in active discussions to sign midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, although he has expressed a clear desire for the transfer not to be finalised during the current summer window.
The confirmation, reported by the Daily Telegraph, highlights the ongoing interest from the Premier League champions in the French club’s squad. Ancelotti did not provide specific details regarding the stage of the negotiations or any financial terms, but his public statement indicates that talks are underway between the two institutions.
Despite acknowledging the interest, Ancelotti stated that he hopes the deal falls through in the immediate term. This stance suggests a strategic preference to retain the midfielder within the Ligue 1 side for the current season, rather than facilitating an immediate move to the English top flight.
The report comes as part of a broader roundup of transfer activity across European football. While the focus remains on the potential movement of Bouaddi, other headlines include Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo reportedly agreeing personal terms with Tottenham, and the Reds lowering their asking price for midfielder Curtis Jones amid interest from Inter Milan.
Arsenal’s pursuit of Victor Osimhen has also drawn attention, with the striker offering a cautious response to speculation linking him with the London club. Meanwhile, Celtic’s Reo Hatate is being targeted by Greek side Panathinaikos, who are reportedly offering a significant pay rise to tempt the midfielder away.
The situation surrounding Bouaddi remains fluid, with Ancelotti’s comments serving as the primary source of confirmation. The Lille coach’s preference for the deal to stall this summer adds a layer of complexity to the negotiations, as Manchester City continue to assess their squad reinforcement options ahead of the new campaign.
