Man City complete £86m Bouaddi signing from Lille
August 26, 2026 12:30
Manchester City have agreed a deal to sign Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille for a reported £85.6m. The 18-year-old is set to join on a five-year contract, with the transfer structured as £81.4m up front plus £4.2m in potential add-ons and is subject to international clearance.
The move follows significant midfield sales at City this summer, including Rodri’s transfer to Barcelona and Tijjani Reinders’ move to Al-Qadsiah, and comes as the club continues to reshape the middle of the park under manager Enzo Maresca.
KEY CONTEXT
- Bouaddi, who has eight senior caps for Morocco, established himself at Lille after debuting in 2023 and made 96 appearances for the club. He was part of the Lille team that finished third in Ligue 1 last season.
- At 16 he became Lille’s youngest-ever senior player in a Europa League match against KI, and he played a prominent role in Lille’s Champions League win over Real Madrid in 2024.
- His performances included starting five of Morocco’s six matches at the recent World Cup as they reached the quarter-finals.
WHY IT MATTERS
- The fee makes Bouaddi the Premier League’s most expensive teenager, exceeding the £58.9m Manchester United paid for Leny Yoro earlier in 2024.
- Bouaddi is viewed as a deep-lying midfielder who would complement England signing Elliot Anderson — another midfield recruit City have brought in this window — as the club rebuilds after the departures of senior midfielders.
- The transfer underlines City’s rapid midfield turnover this summer and their willingness to invest heavily in young talent as part of that overhaul.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Bouaddi’s move remains conditional on international clearance before it is finalized.
- City are reported to be pursuing Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez, valued at £120m, but whether they can secure that signing before the transfer deadline is unresolved.
- Integration of Bouaddi and new signings such as Anderson into Maresca’s side, with the season already under way, will be a key short-term test.
KEY FACTS
- Transfer fee: £85.6m (£81.4m upfront + £4.2m add-ons).
- Contract length: five years, subject to international clearance.
- Age and nationality: 18-year-old Morocco international with eight caps.
- Lille record: 96 appearances since debut in 2023; helped finish third in Ligue 1 last season.
- City summer midfield departures include Rodri to Barcelona (£65m) and Tijjani Reinders to Al-Qadsiah (£52m).