Manchester City have agreed a deal worth 100 million euros to sign 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille. The fee breaks down to an initial £81.4 million with £4.2 million in add-ons, according to BBC Sport. Bouaddi joins on a five-year contract with the option of a sixth year.
The signing addresses a clear need. City sold midfielder Rodri to Barcelona for £65 million and Tijjani Reinders to Saudi Arabian side Al-Qadsiah for £52 million, leaving a significant gap in central midfield. They have already spent £116 million to bring Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, and Bouaddi now arrives as the second piece of that rebuild.
Bouaddi made his senior debut for Lille in October 2023, three days after his 16th birthday, becoming the youngest player ever to appear for the club. He went on to break a record held by Eden Hazard by making 50 Ligue 1 appearances for Lille at age 18. In 88 appearances for the French club, he helped them finish third in Ligue 1 last season. He was also on the pitch when Lille defeated Real Madrid in the Champions League in 2024, a result that drew wider attention to the teenager across Europe.
This summer, Bouaddi started five of Morocco's six matches at the 2026 World Cup, operating as a holding midfielder as the North African side advanced to the quarter-finals. That tournament performance, combined with his Champions League experience, pushed City to move quickly. Lille had wanted to keep him for another season but ultimately agreed to let him leave now.
At club level, Bouaddi has played more often as a box-to-box midfielder in Ligue 1. City see him functioning as a deep-lying conductor alongside Anderson, who is comfortable both as a box-to-box midfielder and in the number six role he plays for England. His composure on the ball and ability to win possession back were qualities that stood out during the World Cup.
City remain interested in Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez, though according to BBC Sport it remains to be seen whether a deal can be struck. If that move does happen, Bouaddi and Fernandez could form the club's midfield partnership going forward.
Replacing Rodri is not a straightforward task. The Spaniard won the Ballon d'Or and the World Cup Golden Ball before leaving for Barcelona. Bouaddi is still early in his senior career and is not expected to deliver at that level immediately. He will be adapting to a new league, a new position, and a new club all at the same time.
Manager Enzo Maresca took charge of City after Pep Guardiola ended his decade-long run at the club. Maresca's side lost last weekend's Community Shield to Arsenal and open their Premier League season Sunday at home against Bournemouth. Bouaddi is not expected to feature in that match. His protracted move to England is now set to be completed in the coming days.
