This might be shaping up to be a frustrating week for Arsenal fans. Why? Well, Real said NO to selling Vini, Liverpool are leading race for Bradley Barcola, John Stones to Inter and now here comes City.
Manchester City have reportedly moved ahead of the Gunners in the race to sign Lille’s teenage sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi, one of the standout performers at the 2026 World Cup. With Lille holding firm on a €100 million asking price, this transfer battle is far from over — but Arsenal’s window of opportunity may be closing fast.
So how did City leapfrog Mikel Arteta’s side? And can Arsenal still pull this off? Let’s take a look:
City Accelerate While Arsenal Chase Guimaraes
According to Sky Sports, City’s sporting director Hugo Viana and Lille president Olivier Letang have been in near-constant dialogue, preferring regular phone calls over formal meetings. Multiple verbal offers have already been submitted, though Lille have rejected each one so far.
The key shift? Arsenal’s decision to prioritise the signing of Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle. That move opened a lane for City to push ahead.
Reports from CaughtOffside indicate the Gunners are now in advanced talks with Newcastle over a £75 million deal for the Brazilian. It’s a strong signing in its own right, but it may have come at the cost of Bouaddi.
City, meanwhile, have told Bouaddi they want him in Enzo Maresca’s first-team plans immediately — no loan back to Lille. TEAMtalk confirmed that City’s interest intensified after they backed away from moves for Sandro Tonali and Guimaraes.
Here’s what we know about City’s position:
- Personal terms with Bouaddi are reportedly agreed
- Negotiations with Lille are ongoing but advanced
- City want to synchronise Bouaddi’s arrival with Rodri’s likely departure to Real Madrid
- The club have already spent £116m on Elliot Anderson this summer
Why Bouaddi Is Worth the Hype
If you watched the World Cup this summer, you already know. Bouaddi was sensational for Morocco, helping them reach the quarter-finals before falling to France.
At just 18, he played with a composure that belied his age. In the group stage draw against Brazil, no Moroccan player registered more touches than his 87. He won possession, controlled tempo, and shut down Brazil’s attacking threat.
Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi didn’t hold back in his praise, saying Bouaddi plays with remarkable maturity and class for someone so young. TNT Sports expert Julien Laurens went even further, calling the teenager a genius with the ball.
And his CV backs it up. He became the youngest player to appear in a European club competition at 16 years and three days old. He’s also the youngest to record 50 Ligue 1 appearances. Off the pitch, he’s studying for a mathematics degree. This isn’t your average teenager.
What It Means for Arsenal’s Midfield Plans
Arsenal aren’t short on midfield quality. Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, and Myles Lewis-Skelly already occupy that area of the squad. Adding Guimaraes would make it even more crowded.
That congestion is precisely why Bouaddi might’ve been reluctant to choose Arsenal anyway. The 18-year-old wants regular game time — something the Gunners can’t easily guarantee right now.
City’s situation is different. Rodri appears headed for Real Madrid after his World Cup Golden Ball performance convinced Jose Mourinho he’s the missing piece at the Bernabeu. Real have agreed personal terms with the Spain captain, with a fee expected between €60m and €80m.
If Rodri goes, there’s a clear pathway for Bouaddi in City’s midfield. That’s a powerful pitch to an ambitious teenager.
Does that mean Arsenal are wrong to go after Guimaraes instead? Not necessarily. He’s 28, experienced, and ready to contribute at the highest level from day one. Bouaddi is a project — a brilliant one, sure, but still a long-term bet.
Still, watching City potentially land one of Europe’s brightest prospects won’t sit well with Arsenal supporters. Especially when the Gunners were reportedly considered favourites not long ago.
The next few days should be decisive. And for Arsenal, there’s a nagging question: will they look back on this summer and wish they’d fought harder for Bouaddi?
Well, we will see.
