Manchester City Close to Transfer of Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille
August 18, 2026 · ArgentinaFrance
Manchester City are trying to recruit Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille after selling Rodri to Barcelona. This Premier League club also plans to complete the transfer of Enzo Fernandez.
Manchester City Approaches Transfer of Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille
Why this is important
Ayyoub Bouaddi's transfer to Manchester City follows Rodri's departure to Barcelona, showing that the Premier League club are committed to strengthening their midfield. Bouaddi, just 18 years old, has shown great potential in the World Cup and Champions League, making him one of the most sought-after young talents on the transfer market. If successful, this will be a strategic step in player development and strengthen City's squad for future competitions.
Background
Ayyoub Bouaddi, the young midfielder from Morocco, has attracted the attention of many clubs after his impressive performances in the World Cup and Champions League. With 88 appearances for Lille since his debut, Bouaddi has shown great ability as a playmaker, who is expected to complement Elliot Anderson's style of play at Manchester City. This transfer will be part of City's strategy to build their future squad with talented young players.
Main Points
- Manchester City Approaches Transfer of Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille.
- Manchester City is trying to recruit Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille after selling Rodri to Barcelona.
- Ayyoub Bouaddi and Enzo Fernandez interest Manchester City - BBC Sport.
Bouaddi attracted the attention of many after impressing at last summer's World Cup, where he was one of the pillars of the Moroccan team which reached the quarter-finals. He has also been in the spotlight thanks to his performances in the Champions League, helping Lille to victory against Real Madrid in 2024.
It is predicted that Bouaddi's style of play as a playmaker in midfield will suit Elliot Anderson, who has also just joined from Nottingham Forest. City hope to secure Bouaddi and Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea, who are also their targets. If these two transfers are successful, City will have a trio of expensive young midfielders, following the arrival of Anderson.
Rodri, the Spanish national team captain, is currently in the process of completing a £65 million transfer to Barcelona, where he will sign a four-year contract. The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner has made 298 appearances during his seven successful seasons at City after joining from Atletico Madrid in 2019 for a club record fee of £62.8 million. Despite suffering a serious knee injury that kept him out of action for most of the 2024-25 season, Rodri returned to his best form at the World Cup, which helped Spain win their second title and was named player of the tournament.
Meanwhile, Manchester City remain in pursuit of Enzo Fernandez, although Chelsea expect the Argentinian midfielder to stay until the end of the season once their bid deadline has passed. It's a transfer story worth keeping an eye on ahead of the transfer deadline on September 1, with reliable sources stating that City boss Enzo Maresca still has a strong interest in Fernandez.
Bouaddi, who has made 88 appearances for Lille since his debut in October 2023, has progressed rapidly in his career. He became the youngest player ever to play for Lille when he made his senior debut against KI just days after his 16th birthday. Bouaddi also won praise from supporters at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy after impressing in Lille's win over Real Madrid on his 17th birthday. Apart from that, he also set a new record after completing 50 appearances in Ligue 1 at the age of 18, breaking the record previously held by Eden Hazard. With his achievements continuing to grow, Bouaddi already has an impressive CV for a young player.
What happened next
Manchester City are expected to complete Bouaddi's transfer in the near future, along with their efforts to recruit Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea. If these two transfers go through, City will have a trio of expensive young midfielders, including Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest. This will provide greater depth and flexibility in their midfield, which is vital to face the challenges of the Premier League and European competitions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ayyoub Bouaddi?
Ayyoub Bouaddi is a young midfielder from Morocco who currently plays for Lille.
Which club is Ayyoub Bouaddi from?
Ayyoub Bouaddi comes from the Lille club.
Why is Manchester City interested in recruiting Ayyoub Bouaddi?
Manchester City are interested in recruiting Ayyoub Bouaddi because of his impressive performances in the World Cup and Champions League, as well as his style of play that suits the team.
What is the transfer value of Ayyoub Bouaddi?
Lille value Ayyoub Bouaddi at around 100 million euros (around £85.6 million).
When will Ayyoub Bouaddi's transfer to Manchester City be official?
Ayyoub Bouaddi's transfer to Manchester City is at an advanced stage of talks, and is expected to be completed in the near future.