Manchester City is on the verge of completing one of Europe’s premier youth transfers, advancing in negotiations with LOSC Lille to sign 18-year-old Moroccan international midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi during the summer transfer window.
French journalist Santi Aouna reports that an agreement between the two clubs is imminent. Bouaddi has granted his green light for a move to the Etihad Stadium, with both parties currently finalizing the remaining contract details.
The primary point of discussion is not just the transfer valuation, but the arrival timeline for head coach Enzo Maresca’s squad. Lille prefers a sell-and-loan-back structure to retain Bouaddi for another season, whereas Manchester City prefers to integrate the midfielder immediately.
The Rodri Factor: Links to Real Madrid
The final decision regarding Bouaddi’s immediate arrival is closely tied to the future of Rodri, who has emerged as a top summer target for Real Madrid.
If the Spanish midfielder remains at the Etihad, Manchester City may agree to buy Bouaddi and leave him on loan at Lille until the summer of 2027 to ensure regular playing time and continued tactical development.
Conversely, a Rodri transfer to Real Madrid would prompt Manchester City to insist on Bouaddi’s immediate arrival to help rebuild their midfield depth. Italian journalist Nicolò Schira reports that Rodri is nearing a move to Real Madrid for approximately €60 million after reaching a verbal agreement on a contract through 2030 and declining City’s extension offers.
Valuation and Contract Details
The transfer fee for Bouaddi is expected to fall between €90 million and €100 million:
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Lille’s Asking Price: €100 million guaranteed.
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Manchester City’s Offer: €90 million base fee, plus performance-related add-ons that could elevate the total package to Lille’s evaluation.
While earlier estimates suggested Lille might lower their financial demands if a one-season loan deal was included, City’s preference for an immediate squad inclusion keeps the total package close to the €100 million mark.
Lille holds a commanding negotiation position after extending the teenager’s contract through June 2029, alongside his surging market valuation following a breakout performance for Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Breakout Performances for Morocco and Lille
Bouaddi started five matches during the 2026 World Cup, helping the Atlas Lions reach the quarterfinals and earning widespread praise for his performance against Brazil. Having previously represented France at youth levels, he chose to commit his senior international career to Morocco.
Having made his senior Lille debut at age 16, Bouaddi has developed into a complete midfielder known for his ball-winning ability, composure under pressure, and progressive passing. His rapid development attracted interest from top European clubs, including Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Bayern Munich, before Manchester City surged ahead in the race for his signature.
