Man City move for £85m Bouaddi and still want Fernandez

“Manchester City are in advanced negotiations to sign 18‑year‑old Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi for around €100 million (£85.6 m) and remain interested in Chelsea’s Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernández. The club hopes to finalise both deals before the 1 September transfer deadline, adding to a recent spate of high‑profile midfield acquisitions that include Elliot Anderson and the pending €65 million sale of Rodri to Barcelona. Bouaddi, who starred for Morocco at the World Cup and helped Lille defeat Real Madrid in the Champions League, is viewed as a deep‑lying playmaker who would complement City’s tactical flexibility. For U.S. fans, the signings could boost the Premier League’s television ratings and merchandise sales, as American audiences increasingly follow star‑laden clubs and their global branding initiatives. Expert Analysis: Securing Bouaddi and Fernández would cement City’s midfield dominance and likely drive higher subscription numbers for U.S. streaming partners that broadcast Premier League matches. The influx of young, marketable talent also creates new endorsement opportunities, potentially expanding the league’s commercial footprint in North America over the next few seasons.”