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Man City Pursues £85 m Bouaddi, Blocks Reijnders Bids

7/19/2026

39 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Manchester City are negotiating to sign 18-year-old midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille for £85 million.
City want Bouaddi to join now rather than be loaned back, Maresca says.
Rodri wants Real Madrid but reports say Madrid have no intention to sign him.
James Trafford is linked with a £30 million move to Newcastle United after the World Cup.
City likely will block bids for midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, signed for €55 million last summer.

History

Historical Context

In June 2009 Manchester United accepted a £80 million offer for Cristiano Ronaldo, sending him to Real Madrid under president Florentino Pérez. The deal, confirmed on 1 July, broke the world-record fee and epitomised Pérez’s Galáctico spending spree that also brought Kaká for £56 million. It set a benchmark that has driven transfer-fee inflation across Europe ever since.

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Story summary

Manchester City are negotiating to sign 18-year-old midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille for £85 million.
City want Bouaddi to join now rather than be loaned back, Maresca says.
Rodri wants Real Madrid but reports say Madrid have no intention to sign him.
James Trafford is linked with a £30 million move to Newcastle United after the World Cup.
City likely will block bids for midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, signed for €55 million last summer.

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