Manchester City are close to concluding negotiations for Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi in an £85 million transfer as Barcelona press to sign Spain captain Rodri.
The 18-year-old Morocco international started on the bench for the French Ligue 1 club during their pre-season friendly at Everton on Saturday. Lille head coach Davide Ancelotti confirmed that talks between the clubs are under way.
Lille have been fighting to keep the midfielder for one more season, but Manchester City and the player both want to seal a move now, which is expected to come at a premium price.
Ancelotti acknowledged the ongoing negotiations, saying: "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!"
The coach praised Bouaddi's maturity, adding: "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. He’s going to be one of the best midfielders in Europe for the next 10 years."
Barcelona press for Rodri
The teenager's arrival at Manchester City would help offset the loss of Spain midfielder Rodri, who is set on a move to Spanish giants Barcelona.
Spanish champions Barcelona have made a third proposal worth around £60 million for the 30-year-old and hope that City agree on a compromise to sell.
Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur are also expected to make an offer for Manchester City winger Savinho.
Enzo Fernandez situation at Chelsea
Manchester City maintain an interest in Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez despite a Friday deadline passing without the necessary £120 million bid being made.
Chelsea had set suitors an unofficial deadline of 5:00 pm on Friday to make a sufficient offer as they want their squad fixed before their Premier League season opener against Fulham on August 24. Manchester City have been the front-runners to sign the midfielder.
Although that deadline passed without an offer, it remains to be seen if a £120 million bid submitted between now and September 1 would test Chelsea's resolve.
Fernandez was booed by Chelsea fans on his first home appearance of pre-season on Saturday in an awkward, mixed reception. The atmosphere turned bizarre when he was introduced after an hour, with sections of the crowd booing him while others proudly sang his name.
That reception continued when he had the ball in midfield, with disgruntled boos followed by encouraging chants from supporters.
