Manchester City agree €100m deal for Ayyoub Bouaddi in record Lille sale
Manchester City have agreed a deal worth up to €100 million to sign teenage Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi as Enzo Maresca continues to reshape his midfield.
Manchester City have agreed a deal with Lille for highly rated midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi in a move that could rise to €100 million, marking another major step in the club’s midfield rebuild under Enzo Maresca.
The agreement reportedly includes an initial €95 million fee, with a further €5 million available through performance-related add-ons, while the 18-year-old is expected to sign a long-term contract at the Etihad Stadium.
Bouaddi has emerged as one of European football’s most promising young midfielders after making his senior breakthrough at Lille and impressing on the international stage with Morocco.
His performances at the 2026 World Cup, where Morocco reached the quarter-finals, significantly increased his profile and attracted interest from several leading clubs.
City’s decision to invest heavily in the teenager comes after a summer of significant midfield changes, with Rodri leaving for Barcelona and Tijjani Reijnders joining Al Qadsiah, while Bernardo Silva has also departed.
City had already made Elliot Anderson their club-record signing this summer and are now adding another young midfielder with considerable potential.
Bouaddi became Lille’s youngest-ever player when he made his senior debut aged 16 and has since developed into an important member of the French club’s squad.
His arrival is expected to provide Maresca with another technical option as City begin a new era following major changes to their squad.
