Liverpool fans are naturally getting a bit impatient as they’ve left themselves with a lot of work to do between now and the end of the summer transfer window.
The Reds have signed just Victor Munoz and Jeremy Jacquet, but with 3-4 gaping holes to fill in the squad, Andoni Iraola is slowly but steadily running out of options.
In terms of their midfield, they haven’t been linked with too many players, which is a sign that it isn’t a priority.
However, earlier this summer, Liverpool were heavily linked with a move for £86m-rated Ayyoub Bouaddi, who showed his class for Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
And now, multiple reports have confirmed that the exciting midfielder is close to signing for Manchester City.
Liverpool target Bouaddi to join Manchester City
Florian Plettenberg reports that Bouaddi has a verbal agreement to join Manchester City as they continue to negotiate with Lille.
Other clubs are believed to be in the running, but all the reporting suggests that Bouaddi is on his way to the Etihad Stadium.
🚨⏳ Ayyoub Bouaddi has reached a full verbal agreement with Manchester City.Negotiations with Lille are ongoing.Several other clubs are closely monitoring the situation, but ManCity are currently in pole position. #MCFC @SkySportDE 🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/Esnjh1tz8Z— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) August 3, 2026
“Ayyoub Bouaddi has reached a full verbal agreement with Manchester City. Negotiations with Lille are ongoing,” wrote Plettenberg on X.
“Several other clubs are closely monitoring the situation, but ManCity are currently in pole position.”
Bouaddi is a talented player but is probably one for the future anyway. And for that price, Liverpool won’t be losing too much sleep over missing out on him.