Manchester City closing in on Ayyoub Bouaddi for €100M with add-ons

Manchester City are closing in on the signature of Ayyoub Bouaddi, the 18-year-old Lille midfielder, for a fee of approximately €100 million including add-ons. The deal, which reportedly includes a five-year contract with personal terms already agreed, would make Bouaddi one of the priciest teenagers ever to change clubs.

From Lille to the Etihad

Bouaddi made his senior debut for Lille at just 16 years old back in October 2023. The tipping point was the 2026 World Cup. Bouaddi started five of Morocco’s six matches during the tournament, playing a central role in the Atlas Lions’ run to the quarterfinals. Arsenal, Liverpool, PSG, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich all reportedly expressed interest before City moved to the front of the queue.

The reported fee of around €100M, equivalent to roughly £85-87 million, places Bouaddi in rarefied air among teenage transfers. While the final structure is still being ironed out in terms of bonuses and add-ons, multiple sources indicate the deal is close to completion.

City’s midfield overhaul takes shape

City recently completed the signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for €135 million. Combined with the Bouaddi acquisition, City are pouring well north of €200 million into their midfield alone this summer.

The spending spree has a clear catalyst: the likely departure of Rodri. Reports indicate that negotiations between City and Barcelona over the Spanish midfielder are underway, with the deal valued at around €76.5 million.

What the deal signals about the transfer market

Bouaddi has fewer than three full seasons of senior football under his belt. His World Cup performances represent a sample size of five matches at the international level. Lille had extended his contract to protect their asset until 2029 before the tournament. Selling him now for nine figures represents the French club’s development model working exactly as intended.

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