Manchester City have identified Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi as a summer target, according to ESPN sources. The 18-year-old emerged as one of the standout performers at the ongoing World Cup, earning widespread praise for his display in Morocco's 1-1 draw with Brazil during the group stage. His performances have caught the attention of multiple European clubs beyond just City.

City's interest comes despite already investing £116 million in Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, who will complete his medical in New York after England's match against Panama. The Premier League champions are casting a wide net for midfield reinforcements, with Newcastle's Sandro Tonali also under consideration. Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have registered interest in Bouaddi, while Lille reportedly prefers his sale to English football rather than another French club.

Bouaddi's connection to PSG runs deep - he attended the 2025 Champions League final as a fan. Arsenal previously scouted the youngster but have since prioritized Bruno Guimarães. Morocco advance to face Netherlands in the last-32 on Monday, giving Bouaddi another platform to impress potential suitors.

The pursuit reflects City's need to refresh their midfield options following Bernardo Silva's departure to Real Madrid after nine years at the club. Doubts surrounding Nico González and Tijjani Reijnders futures have accelerated this search. While no deal is imminent, Bouaddi could remain at Lille for another season if City's interest doesn't materialize immediately.