Ayyoub Bouaddi: Manchester City Agrees on Transfer of Amount
August 24, 2026 ·
Manchester City have agreed to sign Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi for a fee of up to £86 million after his impressive performances at the World Cup and Ligue 1.
Ayyoub Bouaddi: Manchester City Agrees on Transfer of Amount
According to Bbc.
Background
Ayyoub Bouaddi, an 18-year-old player from Morocco, has attracted the attention of many clubs after his impressive performances in the World Cup and Ligue 1. As a midfielder, he is expected to contribute to Manchester City's ball possession and creativity in the midfield, especially after the departure of Rodri. Bouaddi is part of Manchester City's trend of targeting talented young players for long-term development.
Why this is important
The agreement to recruit Ayyoub Bouaddi shows Manchester City's commitment to strengthening their midfield following the departures of Rodri and Tijjani Reinders. With Bouaddi's outstanding performance in the World Cup and Champions League, he is expected to have a significant impact in the Premier League competition. This also reflects City's strategy of developing talented young players in the transfer market.
Main Points
- Ayyoub Bouaddi: Manchester City Agrees on Transfer of Amount.
- Manchester City have agreed to sign Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi for a fee of up to £86 million after his impressive performances at the World Cup and Ligue 1.
- Ayyoub Bouaddi: Man City agree £86m deal for Lille midfielder - BBC Sport.
Manchester City have reached a deal in principle worth 100 million euros (around £86 million) to sign 18-year-old Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. Previously, BBC Sport reported that the two clubs were in advanced talks regarding the transfer of this Moroccan international player. Now, a deal is in place for Bouaddi to join Enzo Maresca's side, with Lille receiving an initial fee of £81.4m plus £4.2m in bonuses.
After selling Rodri to Barcelona in a deal worth £65 million and Tijjani Reinders to Saudi Arabian club Al-Qadsiah for £52 million, Manchester City have now made strengthening their midfield a top priority. They are also still interested in recruiting Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea, but there is no certainty whether the agreement can be completed. City also previously signed Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for a fee of £116 million.
City will kick off their Premier League season by hosting Bournemouth on Sunday (14:00 BST), having lost to Arsenal in the Community Shield last weekend.
Bouaddi caught the eye at this summer's World Cup, where he started five of Morocco's six games which saw them through to the quarter-finals. His brilliant performance in the Champions League when he led Lille to beat Real Madrid in 2024 has further established his name on the international football scene. Bouaddi is known as an attack-making midfielder who can function well behind the attacking line, and he is expected to complement the game of Anderson, who is also comfortable playing as a box-to-box midfielder and in the number six position he played with the England national team.
Since his debut in October 2023, three days after his 16th birthday, Bouaddi has played 88 times for Lille. He also helped his team reach third place in Ligue 1 last season. Bouaddi became the youngest player to ever play for Lille when he made his senior debut against KI, just days after celebrating his 16th birthday. He received praise from the crowd at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy after helping Lille beat Real Madrid on his 17th birthday. Bouaddi also broke the record previously held by Eden Hazard by making 50 Ligue 1 appearances for Lille at the age of just 18.
What happened next
After this agreement, Ayyoub Bouaddi is expected to immediately complete his transfer process to Manchester City and join the team ahead of the new season. City will kick off their Premier League campaign against Bournemouth, and Bouaddi's presence could provide additional options for coach Enzo Maresca. Apart from that, City is still considering recruiting Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea, who could add depth to their squad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ayyoub Bouaddi?
Ayyoub Bouaddi is an 18 year old midfielder who previously played for Lille and is a Morocco international.
Which club did Ayyoub Bouaddi move from?
Ayyoub Bouaddi moves from Lille to Manchester City.
Why did Ayyoub Bouaddi choose Manchester City?
Ayyoub Bouaddi joined Manchester City after the club made strengthening its midfield a top priority, especially after releasing several key players.
How much is Ayyoub Bouaddi's transfer fee?
Ayyoub Bouaddi's transfer deal stands at £86 million, consisting of an initial fee of £81.4 million plus £4.2 million in bonuses.
When will Ayyoub Bouaddi officially join Manchester City?
A deal has been reached for Ayyoub Bouaddi to join Manchester City, but an official joining date has not been stated.
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