By Francis Onyach - Reporter
Kenya, 23 August 2026 - Manchester City have reached a club-to-club agreement with Lille for Ayyoub Bouaddi, completing a major move for one of European football's most highly rated young midfielders.
The agreement follows weeks of negotiations between the two clubs, with the overall package expected to reach €100 million including add-ons. Lille have now given the green light for the 18-year-old to leave, according to the latest reports.
Bouaddi had already agreed personal terms with Manchester City in July, with his preference reportedly being to join the Premier League champions rather than wait for a potential move in a future transfer window. Earlier reporting from Sky Sports also confirmed that personal terms had been in place while City and Lille worked towards an agreement.
City win race for highly rated midfielder
Manchester City have been competing with several major European clubs for Bouaddi's signature.
Manchester United, Arsenal and Bayern Munich had all been linked with the midfielder, while Lille's valuation had been reported in the region of €80m-€100m.
City's determination eventually proved decisive.
The move is particularly significant because the club are undergoing a major midfield rebuild under new manager Enzo Maresca. Manchester City have already lost Rodri to Barcelona and sold Tijjani Reijnders to Al-Qadsiah, creating substantial changes in the centre of the pitch.
City have also broken their transfer record this summer with the £116 million signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest.
Who is Ayyoub Bouaddi?
Bouaddi is a French-born midfielder of Moroccan heritage who developed through Lille's academy.
Despite his young age, he has already accumulated significant senior experience with Lille. He made his first-team debut as a teenager and quickly became one of the club's most important young players.
His performances have attracted attention because of his composure, technical quality and maturity in possession.
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He also impressed during the 2026 World Cup with Morocco, helping increase his profile internationally. Reports subsequently placed him among the most valuable young players in European football.
Although Rodri's departure has created a major vacancy, Bouaddi should not necessarily be viewed as a direct replacement.
Manchester City are understood to regard Elliot Anderson as the player who can initially provide more of the physical and defensive qualities associated with Rodri, while Bouaddi represents a longer-term investment with enormous potential.
That distinction is important.
At just 18, Bouaddi still has considerable development ahead of him. City are effectively betting that their coaching structure can transform one of Europe's brightest young midfielders into a future superstar.
The €100 million package makes Bouaddi one of the most expensive teenagers in football history and demonstrates City's willingness to invest heavily in elite young talent.
The transfer also underlines the scale of the club's midfield reconstruction.
With Maresca beginning a new era at the Etihad, City are replacing established stars while simultaneously attempting to build the next generation of the squad.
Ayyoub Bouaddi now appears set to become the latest major piece of that rebuild.
The club-to-club agreement is in place, Lille have approved the sale and personal terms were already agreed. The remaining formalities, including the medical and final paperwork, will precede his official unveiling as a Manchester City player.