- Manchester City have agreed a deal with Lille for Morocco international midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi worth up to £86m (€100m).
- City are paying a fixed fee of £81.3m plus £4.3m in add-ons.
- The 18-year-old is set to become the most expensive teenage signing in Premier League history, surpassing the £58.9m Manchester United committed to paying Lille for Leny Yoro in 2024.
- Bouaddi made his Lille debut in October 2023, three days after his 16th birthday, becoming the youngest player in the club's history.
- He helped Lille defeat Real Madrid in the Champions League on his 17th birthday.
- Bouaddi later broke Eden Hazard's record for 50 Ligue 1 appearances at age 18.
- Bouaddi impressed at the 2026 World Cup, starting five of Morocco's six matches in their run to the quarter-finals.
Manchester City has finalized an £86 million deal with Lille for Ayyoub Bouaddi, an 18-year-old midfielder who shone at the recent World Cup. This transfer marks a significant investment for City, making Bouaddi the most expensive teenage signing in Premier League history.13
The agreement includes an initial fee of £81.4 million plus £4.2 million in add-ons, surpassing the previous record held by Manchester United for Leny Yoro. Bouaddi's impressive performances, particularly in Morocco's quarter-final run, have solidified his reputation as a rising star.
Bouaddi has played 88 matches for Lille since debuting shortly after his 16th birthday, breaking records previously held by Eden Hazard. His versatility allows him to function as both a defensive and attacking midfielder, complementing City's existing talents like Anderson.
City's midfield overhaul follows the departures of key players including Rodri and Bernardo Silva. The club has also generated around £150 million in sales this summer, paving the way for this significant investment in Bouaddi, who is expected to sign a five-year deal at the Etihad Stadium.
As City continues to reshape their squad under Enzo Maresca, Bouaddi's arrival is seen as a crucial step in maintaining their competitive edge in both domestic and European competitions.
“Bouaddi's arrival follows City's record-breaking £116m signing of Elliot Anderson, and he is expected to sign a five-year deal at the Etihad. City have raised around £150m in sales this summer, with Rodri, Bernardo Silva, and Tijjani Reijnders departing.”
BBC
The Independent
