Manchester City have reached an agreement to sign Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille in a deal worth up to 100 million euros (£86 million) [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]. The transfer includes an initial fee of approximately 95 million euros plus up to 5 million euros in add-ons [3, 5, 7, 8].
Bouaddi, 18, is a defensive and central midfielder who made 30 Ligue 1 appearances last season, helping Lille finish third and qualify for the Champions League [1, 2, 3, 5, 8]. He made his senior debut for Morocco in May 2026 and started five of Morocco's six matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the team reached the quarter-finals [3, 5, 7, 8].
Ahead of the transfer, Bouaddi was stood down from Lille’s Ligue 1 match against Angers on August 23, 2026, and was set to travel to England for medical examinations [5].
Manchester City sold midfielders Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders earlier this summer, prioritizing reinforcements in central midfield [1, 2, 6, 8]. Bouaddi will join manager Enzo Maresca’s revamped midfield group alongside Elliot Anderson, who joined City earlier this summer for £116 million [2, 3, 6, 7, 8].
The club also remains interested in Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, valued by Chelsea at £120 million, but no deal has been reached [1, 2, 5, 6].
If completed, Bouaddi’s transfer would make him the most expensive teenage signing in Premier League history [8]. Former France striker Olivier Giroud praised Bouaddi’s maturity, saying, "I played with Kylian Mbappe when he was 18. He was so mature for his age and I have the same feeling with Ayyoub" [4]. Bouaddi himself stated on Instagram, "I am aware of the privilege I have to defend these colours and I will give everything to best represent my country" [4].
The next step is for Bouaddi to complete his medical in England and finalize paperwork to join Manchester City.
