Man City agree deal to sign Lille midfield star Ayyoub Bouaddi

Manchester City have been looking for midfield options since the transfer window opened, following the departure of Spanish midfielder Rodri, and have reportedly landed Lille’s midfield prodigy Ayyoub Bouaddi for a fee worth up to £86 million (€100m), including add-ons, according to journalist Fabrice Hawkins and confirmed by transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.

The midfield star had been on Man City’s radar since July, after a breakthrough at the 2026 World Cup, where he featured at the heart of Morocco’s midfield, showing flashes of composure, sharp skill, and intelligent passing.

The Moroccan international’s move to the Premier League club will become a record-breaking transfer for Lille. Due to the agreement, Bouaddi has been excused from the squad set to face Angers away at the Stade Raymond Kopa today.

The midfield sensation is set to sign a five-year contract with the Cityzens running through to 2031, with an option to extend for an additional 12 months.

Bouaddi’s arrival will follow City’s record-breaking £116 million deal to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest earlier in the window.

Enzo Maresca’s side is expected to pay a fixed fee of £81.3m plus £4.3m in add-ons. Bouaddi is set to become the most expensive teenage signing in Premier League history, surpassing the £58.9m Manchester United paid for Leny Yoro in 2024.

City are working to revamp their midfield after the departures of Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Tijjani Reijnders. The midfield genius is capable of operating as a defensive midfielder or in a more advanced role, giving City further versatility in midfield.

City are also interested in Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez and Roma’s Manu Kone as potential options to further bolster midfield amid uncertainty over Newcastle United target Nico Gonzalez’s future at the Etihad.

The midfielder excelled in his role at his first major international tournament, particularly noticeable in the group stage against Brazil.

Having reached agreement with both Lille and the player himself, City are now just formalities away from completing a deal that hands Enzo Maresca a potential long-term successor to Rodri in the heart of his midfield.