According to multiple reports, including Reuters, ESPN and Sky Sports, Manchester City have agreed to pay Lille an initial €95 million for the 18-year-old, with a further €5 million potentially due in add-ons. The deal is expected to be completed once Bouaddi undergoes his medical, with the formal announcement potentially arriving within the next few days.
Manchester City Make Their Move for Bouaddi
The agreement brings an end to weeks of speculation surrounding Ayyoub Bouaddi’s future. The teenage midfielder has been one of the most talked-about young players in European football, and Manchester City have reportedly been pushing hard to get the deal over the line.
Bouaddi was left out of Lille’s Ligue 1 match against Angers, further fueling expectations that his transfer to Manchester City was imminent.
The move is also significant because City are undergoing a major midfield rebuild. Rodri has departed for Barcelona, while Tijjani Reijnders and Bernardo Silva have also left the club. City had already invested heavily in Elliot Anderson, and Bouaddi’s arrival would give new manager Enzo Maresca another exciting option in the middle of the pitch.
Who Is Ayyoub Bouaddi?
Bouaddi is only 18, but his rise has been remarkable. The midfielder broke into Lille’s first team as a teenager and has already gained valuable experience in Ligue 1 and European competition.
His 2025/26 season was particularly impressive. Bouaddi made 30 Ligue 1 appearances for Lille and helped the club finish third, securing Champions League football.
His reputation grew even further at the 2026 World Cup. Representing Morocco, Bouaddi started five of the country’s six matches as Morocco reached the quarter-finals. That international experience at such a young age has made him one of the most exciting midfield prospects in world football. (Reuters)
Is Bouaddi the New Rodri?
That comparison will inevitably follow him, especially after Rodri’s departure. However, Bouaddi is not simply being signed as a direct replacement for the Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder.
Manchester City are rebuilding their midfield with multiple players, and Bouaddi represents a long-term investment in one of Europe’s brightest young talents.
At 18, the Moroccan international has plenty of room to develop, and working within City’s possession-heavy system could accelerate that progress.
A Massive Statement From Manchester City
If the transfer is completed at the reported €100 million maximum, Bouaddi will become one of the most expensive teenage players in Premier League history.
It also underlines Manchester City’s determination to rebuild quickly. After a summer of major departures, the club appears ready to spend heavily to ensure the new Maresca era begins with a competitive squad.
For City supporters, the arrival of Ayyoub Bouaddi could therefore be about much more than one transfer. It could be the beginning of the next generation of Manchester City’s midfield.
And if the teenager develops as expected, City may have just secured one of football’s future stars.
