Man City Chase Ayyoub Bouaddi as Real Madrid Target Rodri After World Cup

Manchester City have initiated contact with Lille to sign 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi regardless of Rodri's contract status.

Manchester City have initiated contact with Lille to secure a deal for 18-year-old midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, a breakout performer at the recent World Cup. The Premier League champions are pushing for the teenager’s signature despite ongoing uncertainty regarding Rodri, who has entered the final 12 months of his current contract. While the Etihad club remains eager to negotiate a new deal with their 30-year-old Spanish international, Real Madrid have reignited interest in the midfielder following his displays for Spain on the global stage.

Enzo Maresca confirmed during a news conference on Friday, held ahead of City’s friendly fixture against Inter Milan, that Rodri underwent surgery last Monday. The manager stated the procedure was successful and the player is currently taking time off to rest after the conclusion of the World Cup. Maresca described the current transfer links to the LaLiga giants as speculation, noting that no formal conversations regarding a contract extension have taken place yet.

City Pursue Lille Starlet Ayyoub Bouaddi

Sources told ESPN that the pursuit of Bouaddi is a standalone recruitment objective and not a contingency plan for a potential Rodri departure. The French youth prospect is viewed as a long-term acquisition who could arrive in Manchester even if the veteran Spaniard remains at the club beyond the summer transfer deadline. City officials are hopeful that an agreement with Lille can be reached, potentially seeing the player join Maresca’s first-team squad immediately for the upcoming campaign.

Alternative development paths for the 18-year-old include a structured loan-back agreement. If a transfer is finalized, City may opt to send Bouaddi back to Lille for a one-year period to continue his progression in Ligue 1. This strategy aligns with the club's broader recruitment activity, which includes working on a deal for Marseille goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli.

Squad Changes Under Enzo Maresca

During his media address, Maresca emphasized Rodri's importance to the organization, labeling him a top player that any manager in the world would want to utilize. The Italian coach stressed that the midfielder's retention is a priority for the club and the staff. However, the squad is already undergoing significant changes, as John Stones has officially departed Manchester City to join Inter Milan on a free transfer.

Real Madrid's interest in the 30-year-old midfielder follows a period where the Spanish side intensified their scouting. City are expecting formal offers from the LaLiga club, putting pressure on the one year remaining on Rodri's deal. Despite this, the recruitment team continues to focus on the 18-year-old Lille talent to bolster the midfield ranks for the future.

Transfer Strategy and Development

City’s interest in the World Cup breakout star reflects a strategy of securing elite young talent before their market value escalates further. The club’s pursuit of the Lille midfielder is independent of the defensive vacancy left by Stones or the potential arrival of Rulli from Marseille. Maresca indicated that the main focus for Rodri following the end of the season was the international tournament, and the club is now allowing the player a period of recuperation before addressing his long-term future at the Etihad Stadium.