Manchester City has shattered the transfer record for a Moroccan player, agreeing a deal worth up to €100 million to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille. The defensive midfielder, who emerged as one of the standout performers of the 2026 World Cup, has seen his value roughly double in the space of a year, from an estimated €50 million to the current fee including add-ons. Known for his composure and passing range, Bouaddi has established himself as a rising force among the Atlas Lions’ new generation of talent. Lille and City have reached a full agreement, with personal terms sorted and a five-year contract lined up. The clubs are now working through bonus structures and payment scheduling, with both sides aiming to finalize everything before the summer window closes. For City, Bouaddi represents a central piece in a broader midfield rebuild.
Elsewhere, Sofyan Amrabat‘s situation with Real Betis remains unresolved. The Andalusian club sees the Fenerbahçe midfielder as a priority target to reshape its midfield following several departures, but the Turkish side is holding firm on its financial demands. That stance has created friction, since Amrabat reportedly wants the move to happen. With Betis working under budget constraints, a straightforward fee-based transfer looks difficult, and a loan with an option to buy may end up being the more realistic path before the deadline.
Crystal Palace is exploring two separate Moroccan targets. Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal, a Rennes defender previously linked with Fulham, is considered a highly probable departure this summer. Meanwhile, midfielder Neil El Aynaoui, fresh off a strong campaign with AS Roma and an impressive World Cup, has drawn interest from Palace and also caught Liverpool’s attention as a potential long-term option. Palace appears intent on using the closing days of the window to address both its defense and midfield through Moroccan recruitment. Another talent drawing similar praise is Bilal El Khannouss, widely regarded as a rising star of the Atlas Lions thanks to his technical ability and growing influence in Morocco’s midfield.
Further down the market, FC Nantes is monitoring Hossam Essadak, an attacking midfielder currently at Union Touarga. The French club has made enquiries as it looks to add creativity to its attacking options, though the scenario remains at an early stage compared to the other dossiers.
Together, these five cases illustrate the growing prominence of Moroccan talent across Europe’s top leagues, with clubs racing to finalize deals before the summer window shuts.
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