Man City hold initial talks for World Cup star

Manchester City will begin their pre-season campaign with a game against Italian champions Inter Milan at the start of August. 

This summer has seen huge change at The Etihad, with Pep Guardiola’s decade-long spell at the club coming to an end after last season.

His former assistant, Enzo Maresca, has since been appointed as his successor, and the Italian will likely want to bolster his squad this summer in an effort to ensure his side compete for major trophies next term.

With that in mind, it has emerged that the Manchester club have been exploring a possible move to sign a highly-rated midfielder who has been impressing at the World Cup.

As reported by Fabrizio Romano, Manchester City have held initial talks about a possible move for Lille star Ayyoub Bouaddi at some stage in the future.

It is claimed that the Citizens have held discussions about a potential move to sign the 18-year-old, who enjoyed a superb breakthrough season last term.

Bouaddi has forced his way into the Morocco squad (Photo: Independent Photo Agency/Alamy)

Bouaddi joined Lille as a youngster and has since progressed into the first team, making more than 40 appearances for the club in all competitions last season.

Romano claims that four top clubs are showing interest in the central midfielder, although French champions Paris Saint-Germain are not involved as they are currently prioritising other targets.

Bouaddi represented France at various age group levels but switched his international allegiance to Morocco earlier this year and featured in five of their six games at the World Cup in North America this summer.

Romano suggests that City are keen on the idea of signing Bouaddi due to his huge potential, although the Citizens could potentially be open to the player himself staying put at Lille for another season in order to aide his development.