Why did Paris Saint-Germain overlook the Ayoub Bouaddi deal?
Technical calculations behind the scenes
Paris Saint-Germain did not move to complete a deal for Ayyoub Bouaddi during the summer transfer window, despite interest from numerous European clubs in the Moroccan midfielder, who ultimately joined Manchester City.
French newspaper L'Equipe report that the Parisian club never wanted to push the Bouaddi file forward, despite the links of recent months. The board were convinced they already had enough options in midfield and saw no need to strengthen there in the summer of 2026.
PSG did spend, bringing in five new players during the 2026 summer market: Alessandro Longoni, Lucas Deny, Magnes Akliouche, Mika Godts and Ferran Torres.
Not one of them was a midfielder, though, despite several names being linked with the club. Bouaddi among them.
A midfield with all its elements in place
Bouaddi produced an outstanding season with Lille in the 2025-2026 campaign, and also showed good levels with the Morocco national team at the 2026 World Cup, drawing the attention of numerous European clubs.
His characteristics looked tailor-made for Luis Enrique's style, yet the 19-year-old was never close to joining the Parisian club, whatever the rumours suggested at certain points, according to the French newspaper.
Luis Campos and Luis Enrique had settled on a clear vision back in the spring of last year, mapping out exactly which positions PSG needed to strengthen in the 2026 summer market.
Midfield never came into it. The newspaper explained that the area, where the Parisian coach can call on Joao Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz, Warren Zaire-Emery, Senny Mayulu and Dru Fernandes, was never viewed as short either numerically or technically.
Behind the first-choice trio of Joao Neves, Fabian Ruiz and Vitinha sit two young options in Warren Zaire-Emery and Senny Mayulu, and their youth meant the board felt no urgency to sign anyone.
The newspaper confirmed that PSG's officials intended to work on developing the potential of that young duo in the short and medium term.
Lucas Beraldo's conversion into a defensive holding role, the ability of Desire Doue and Magnes Akliouche to play in more than one position and the promotion of Quentin Ndjantou all handed the Parisian coach even more numbers in the middle of the pitch.
That was plenty, as far as the club's officials were concerned, and the message reached those close to Bouaddi quickly enough.
Will Paris renew their interest?
A move for Bouaddi a year later was never ruled out, with the board intending to monitor the Lille player's development over the coming period.
Could PSG's sporting project have swayed Bouaddi? Those close to the player swerved that question entirely, the French newspaper indicated, saying only that City's project had been the preferred option for a long time.
