Lille have found Ayyoub Bouaddi's replacement at Real Madrid

According to information from Marca, LOSC have set their sights on a Real Madrid player to make up for the likely departure of their young midfielder, Ayyoub Bouaddi.

The Madrid daily reports that the French club has identified Jorge Cestero as their target—a player who has been making quite a name for himself in Real Madrid’s famed youth academy, La Fabrica. The 20-year-old defensive midfielder currently plays for Real Madrid Castilla and is regarded internally as one of the brightest prospects in Madrid’s ranks. Álvaro Arbeloa didn’t hesitate to call him “the best number 6 in Spain.”

Read also: Real Madrid: Brahim Diaz under threat from the imminent arrival of Yan Diomandé

Having joined Real Madrid in 2019, Cestero has made his mark thanks to his football intelligence, technical quality, and his ability to orchestrate play from deep in midfield. For Lille, the plan is clearly to bet on a profile similar to Ayyoub Bouaddi by signing a young talent with huge potential. The new recruit will need to be ready to develop quickly in a highly competitive environment.

Ayyoub Bouaddi is heading to Manchester City

A true prodigy, Ayyoub Bouaddi has become one of the hottest rising stars in European football. He burst onto the international scene during the 2026 World Cup with Morocco, and the 18-year-old midfielder’s stock has soared in recent months. Olivier Létang has never hidden the massive financial ambitions surrounding his prized asset, publicly stating that Bouaddi could be valued at over 100 million euros.

According to Foot Mercato, Manchester City are now close to reaching an agreement with Lille for the Moroccan’s transfer.

Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.

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