Manchester City has successfully reached an agreement on personal terms with Ayyoub Bouaddi and his representatives, bringing the Lille midfielder significantly closer to a move to the Etihad Stadium during the current summer transfer window.
Club-to-Club Negotiations Underway The negotiations have now advanced to the club-to-club stage. Bouaddi is reportedly eager to join Enzo Maresca’s squad immediately, rather than remaining with Lille until the summer of 2027.
The French club is demanding a fee in the region of €100 million to part ways with their prized academy graduate. However, some estimates suggest the total package could eventually reach €130 million if performance-related bonuses and add-ons are included.
Beating the European Competition
Bouaddi has been on the radar of several European giants, most notably Arsenal, Manchester United, and Bayern Munich. Yet, Manchester City showed the greatest intent and moved swiftly to secure an early agreement with the player.
City’s proactive approach aligns with growing expectations surrounding Rodri‘s potential departure to FC Barcelona. With the Catalan club entering negotiations for the Spanish international, Bouaddi has emerged as the prime long-term replacement should both deals materialize.
A Record-Breaking Rise at Lille
The 18-year-old began his journey in Lille’s academy before making his senior debut in October 2023 at the age of 16 years and 3 days, making him the youngest player ever to feature in a current UEFA club competition.
Having spent three seasons with the first team, Bouaddi made 30 appearances in Ligue 1 during the 2025-2026 campaign. He has consistently proven his ability to handle high-pressure situations, dictate possession, and recover the ball efficiently from midfield.
A 2026 World Cup Sensation with Morocco
Born in France, Bouaddi represented French youth national teams before deciding to pledge his international allegiance to Morocco. This decision paid off immensely, as he quickly became one of the breakout stars of the 2026 World Cup, helping the Atlas Lions secure a historic spot in the quarter-finals.
His standout performance came against Brazil, where he recorded incredible statistics:
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Completed 91% of his passes
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Recovered the ball 6 times
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Won 9 ground duels
At 18 years and 280 days old, Bouaddi etched his name in history as the second-youngest player ever to feature in a FIFA World Cup quarter-final.
