Liverpool’s hopes of securing a clear run at Lille’s teenage sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi have suffered a massive blow.
Reports from Spanish daily Marca indicate that Manchester City have officially entered the race to sign the 18-year-old midfield maestro.
Bouaddi has seen his profile skyrocket following a series of masterclass performances for Morocco at the World Cup this summer, drawing intense interest from Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.
Liverpool have been tracking the defensive midfielder as a crucial component of Iraola’s tactical shift, but City are now viewing Bouaddi as the ideal long-term reinforcement to support Rodri.
Lille are holding firm on a rigid £69 million valuation for the youngster, setting up a high-stakes Premier League bidding war that the Anfield recruitment team could really have done without.
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