Pep Guardiola has reportedly endorsed Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi as a potential signing for Manchester City, the club he recently left as manager. Guardiola, who stepped down at the end of the season and was succeeded by Enzo Maresca, is said to have recommended the 18-year-old player to his former club following Morocco’s recent World Cup victory over Scotland.

Bouaddi, currently with Lille, has attracted interest from several top English clubs, including Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United. Manchester City, who recently acquired midfielder Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for a club-record fee of £116 million, are actively seeking to strengthen their midfield options. Bouaddi, valued at around £60 million, is viewed by both Guardiola and City’s director of football, Hugo Viana, as a strong candidate to bolster the squad.

Although Guardiola no longer manages City, he has taken on an ambassadorial role with the club, which appears to include some level of involvement in scouting and player recommendations. His support for Bouaddi signals confidence in the young Moroccan’s potential to meet the club’s high standards as they look toward future campaigns under Maresca.