The summer transfer window is particularly lively for LOSC, which is preparing a new page in its history with the arrival of Davide Ancelotti on the bench. After several seasons marked by continuity, the northern club is experiencing a real period of transition with several important changes in its workforce. Executives like Chancel Mbemba, Aïssa Mandi and Thomas Meunier left Lille, while young Ugo Raghouber also took another direction. Departures which force the management led by Olivier Létang to accelerate its work in order to build a group capable of meeting the ambitions displayed, in particular with the return of the Champions League to the program. In terms of arrivals, LOSC has already started to draw the outlines of its new project with the signatures of Basar Onal, Loun Srdanovic and Tanguy Kouassi. But the work still remains important, since several sectors must be strengthened to allow Davide Ancelotti to quickly impose his ideas. Among the issues that liven up the Lille summer, that of Ayyoub Bouaddi obviously occupies a central place.
A true phenomenon of precocity, the 18-year-old midfielder has become one of the biggest rising stars in European football. Revealed to the general international public during his 2026 World Cup with Morocco, the LOSC player saw his popularity explode over the months. Olivier Létang has never hidden the immense financial ambitions placed around his jewel, publicly estimating that his player could reach a valuation greater than 100 million euros. As we revealed to you at the end of July, Manchester City is now very close to reaching an agreement with Lille for his transfer. Negotiations have progressed considerably and the basis of the operation is almost settled. The main point of discussion concerns the immediate future of the Moroccan midfielder, since LOSC wishes to obtain a loan for an additional season while the Cityzens would like to quickly integrate him into their squad. With Bouaddi’s departure becoming clearer, Lille leaders must already prepare the succession of a player considered one of the great talents of tomorrow.
A young middle of 20 years old
According to information from MarcaLille would have already activated a track at Real Madrid to compensate for the probable loss of its young midfielder. The targeted profile is called Jorge Cestero, a player who is widely talked about within La Fabrica. Aged 20, this defensive midfielder currently plays with Real Madrid Castilla and is considered internally as one of the great hopes of the Madrid team. His former trainer Álvaro Arbeloa did not hesitate to present him as “the best 6 in Spain”. A statement which testifies to the esteem in which the native of Zaragoza enjoys within the Merengue club. Arriving at Real Madrid in 2019, Cestero gradually established himself thanks to his intelligence in the game, his technical quality and his ability to organize the midfield from a deep position. More than just a recuperator, he has a modern profile capable of breaking lines with the ball, resisting opposing pressure and giving rhythm to his team’s possessions.
Real Madrid is closely monitoring Jorge Cestero’s progress and his potential move to the first team is not ruled out in the medium term. Under contract until 2028, the midfielder had the opportunity to get closer to the group led, at the time, by Xabi Alonso, by participating in certain sessions with the Madrid stars, before Arbeloa launched him into the deep end against Benfica in the Champions League. His maturity despite his young age and his influence in the Castilla midfield have reinforced expectations around his future. For Lille, the idea would obviously be to focus on a profile similar to that of Ayyoub Bouaddi by recruiting a young talent with high potential capable of progressing quickly in a competitive environment. An arrival in the form of a loan could also be favored, an option which would correspond to the habits of LOSC when it comes to supporting the development of promising young players and to that of Casa Blanca to offer more professional minutes to its jewels.
