Man City to seal Ayyoub Bouaddi deal at cut-price fee as 'clincher' revealed

Manchester City may be able to sign Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi for less than their £85million asking price in the coming weeks.

That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that the Citizens are taking a calculated gamble with their pursuit of the 18-year-old.

Bouaddi starred for Morocco at this summer's World Cup, and has recently been subject to interest from several of Europe's elite clubs.

Wyness believes that City may be able to negotiate with Lille and do a deal at a lower fee than their current asking price, provided they agree to loan the player back for next season.

The French outfit are keen to keep the starlet for one more season, as they look to fight at the top end of Ligue 1 again next term.

Bouaddi has already made over 60 appearances in the French top flight, and has established himself as one of the brightest emerging talents in world football.

Man City have clear 'clincher' for Ayyoub Bouaddi deal

Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that a loan-back agreement will be the "clincher" for City in their pursuit.

The Scottish businessman made it clear that Lille could be tempted into a sale if City get close to their £85m valuation, and also sanction a loan back.

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, Wyness explained why Bouaddi's asking price shouldn't be a concern for City.

"In this case, I think it's an educated gamble, and I can understand what City are doing," he said.

"I think that while they were sticking for a higher price, I think Lille may settle lower, but I do expect the player to get loaned back there for another season, which I think would be the clincher.

"It would allow them to let him develop that bit more in his present environment, which I think is doing well for him. He's a talent, there's no doubt about the kid, and he's done it consistently at Lille. 

"I think it's certainly a gamble, but I don't think it's based on the World Cup form. I think they've been tracking him for a long time.

"I think that City will do well to get him, but I expect it to get done lower than the £85m, but with a loan back to Lille."

Man City insider suggests spending is 'out of control'

Former Man City financial advisor Stefan Borson told Football Insider last weekend that City's spending has been "extraordinary," as they line up a move for Bouaddi, after their deal to sign Elliot Anderson.

The football finance expert suggested that his former club's spending could even be deemed to be "out of control" if they get Bouaddi over the line.

Borson outlined that Bouaddi would be a "much higher risk" signing for City than Anderson, and made it clear that City would need him to become one of the best players in the world.

A move for the 18-year-old would raise plenty of eyebrows away from the Etihad Stadium, despite a World Cup that turned him into a star.