This is the kind of move City often appear comfortable making: high-upside, long-term, and expensive enough to scare off hesitation elsewhere. Bouaddi, still only 18, is reportedly seen as a midfielder for both the present and the future, even if his clearest route to regular starts may not be immediate.
There is also a broader theme here. City seem able to treat elite young talent as a strategic investment, not just an urgent fix. If Bouaddi’s preference is indeed a move now rather than waiting until 2027, that only strengthens their position.
For United, the picture appears different. Reports suggest their midfield search is being shaped by need as much as ambition. The club looks to be chasing a more instant solution in the deeper midfield role - someone ready to settle quickly and lift the level straight away.
That does not mean Bouaddi was not admired. It simply sounds as though the balance between potential and immediacy may have tipped against a deal from United’s side, especially if the price climbs into premium territory.
Bouaddi’s appeal is obvious: composure, pedigree, and the sense that he could become a major midfield figure. But timing matters. A move to City would bring elite coaching and competition, yet also the risk of limited minutes in a stacked squad.
The next step is the key one: whether City can get an agreement done with Lille before the window moves on. If they do, one of the summer’s most intriguing midfield stories may quickly become one of its most important. And if they do not, expect United and others to keep watching closely.