A midfielder to soften the blow of Bouaddi’s exit
Lille have sold Ayyoub Bouaddi to Manchester City for 100 million euros. A fee that fixes plenty on the balance sheet, but leaves a gap right in the middle of the team. Andre, Nabil Bentaleb and Mukau make up the current Lille midfield core. One more body is needed to get through the season.
According to Foot Mercato, the Dogues have turned to Maurits Kjaergaard. The 23-year-old Denmark midfielder plays for RB Salzburg. The medical is said to be set for today, ahead of the contract being signed.
The timing is no accident. The window shuts on Tuesday night. Lille are moving in the final usable hours.
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Spot them early, negotiate late
The club have handled this one without much leaking out. Same script as Ayase Ueda, who arrived from Feyenoord after talks were kept firmly behind closed doors. It has been a running theme in the north for several seasons: spot them early, negotiate late, talk once the deal is done.
The profile fits Lille’s usual brief too. A 23-year-old, developed at a club known for producing talent, with a realistic resale value down the line. Salzburg have been feeding Europe’s big leagues for a decade, from Bayern to Leipzig and Liverpool.
What it means in midfield
Kjaergaard is not a like-for-like Bouaddi replacement. He would add depth to a department that has to cope on three fronts this season, including a Champions League campaign Lille already know the schedule for.
The real question is minutes. Andre remains a fixture, Bentaleb brings the experience, Mukau is pushing on. The Dane will have to fight for his place in an already crowded rotation.
Confirmation now depends on the medical.
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