Full Breakdown
Manchester City Secure Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille
8/23/2026, 7:57:29 PM
Core Transfer Details
Manchester City have reached an agreement with Lille for the permanent signing of 18-year-old Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. The deal comprises an initial €95 million (?£81.4 million) plus €5 million in potential add-ons, bringing the total package to about €100 million (?£86 million). Bouaddi will sign a five-year contract with an option for a further 12 months, tying him to the Etihad Stadium until at least 2031. The transfer is set to be completed before the Premier League’s transfer-deadline on September 1.
Background and Context
The acquisition follows a major midfield reshuffle at City. Defensive midfielder Rodri departed for Barcelona for an initial €60 million, while veteran Bernardo Silva left after his contract expired and Tijjani Reijnders moved to Al Qadsiah. Earlier in the window, the club broke its own record by paying £116 million for Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest. Bouaddi’s arrival is intended to fill the void left by Rodri and to add versatility, as he can operate both as a deep-lying midfielder and in more advanced positions.
Player Profile and Recent Form
Bouaddi made his senior debut for Lille at 16 years and 3 days, becoming the club’s youngest ever player. In the 2025-26 season he logged 42 appearances across all competitions, contributing one assist as Lille finished third in Ligue 1 and qualified for the Champions League. Internationally, he featured prominently for Morocco at the summer World Cup, starting five of six matches and recording the most touches of any Moroccan player in the group-stage draw with Brazil.
Impact and Outlook
City’s hierarchy, led by manager Enzo Maresca, view Bouaddi as a cornerstone of their rebuilt midfield. The sizeable fee makes him the most expensive teenage signing in Premier League history, surpassing the £58.9 million paid for Leny Yoro in 2024. By securing Bouaddi before the September 1 deadline, City aim to provide Maresca with the depth needed to compete on domestic and European fronts while maintaining a long-term core around the young midfielder.
