Manchester City have agreed a deal worth up to €100 million to sign Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille, with the 18-year-old set to become the most expensive teenage signing in Premier League history.
The agreement, reported by Reuters and subsequently confirmed by multiple leading football outlets, is worth an initial €95 million, with a further €5 million available in performance-related add-ons. The transfer is expected to be completed after Bouaddi undergoes his medical in England.
Bouaddi has emerged as one of Europe’s most highly regarded young midfielders after a breakthrough campaign with Lille and an impressive World Cup with Morocco.
Bouaddi becomes latest major Manchester City signing
The move represents another significant investment in Manchester City’s midfield rebuild under manager Enzo Maresca.
City have already spent heavily in the position this summer, including the reported £116 million arrival of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest. Bouaddi’s deal, worth approximately £85 million in total, takes the club’s spending on the two midfielders to a substantial level.
The Moroccan is primarily a defensive midfielder and is expected to provide another option in the holding role following Rodri’s departure for Barcelona. City have also lost Bernardo Silva and Tijjani Reijnders from their midfield options during the summer rebuild.
The scale of the investment reflects City’s belief in Bouaddi’s long-term potential as well as his ability to contribute immediately.
Lille accept record fee for teenage midfielder
Bouaddi’s departure marks a major financial milestone for Lille.
L’Équipe reported that the agreement with Manchester City is worth €100 million including bonuses and would establish a new club transfer record. It would also become the biggest sale by a Ligue 1 club to an overseas team, surpassing Lille’s previous record involving Nicolas Pépé’s move to Arsenal.
Lille had previously resisted offers for Bouaddi and publicly indicated that no agreement had been reached during earlier stages of the transfer talks. The midfielder was under contract with the French club until 2029 after signing an extension in December 2025.
His final appearance for Lille could therefore prove to have already arrived. He was left out of the squad for Sunday’s Ligue 1 fixture against Angers as the transfer negotiations moved towards completion.
World Cup success accelerated Bouaddi’s rise
Bouaddi’s stock rose sharply during the 2026 World Cup, where he became an important member of Morocco’s midfield.
He made his senior international debut in May before being selected for Morocco’s 26-man squad for the tournament. He started five of the country’s six matches as Morocco reached the quarter-finals, where they were eliminated by France.
His performances on the international stage strengthened interest from leading European clubs and helped establish him as one of the tournament’s emerging young talents.
At club level, Bouaddi made 30 Ligue 1 appearances during Lille’s 2025-26 campaign as the side finished third and secured direct qualification for the Champions League. Lille’s official records also show how important he had become to the team, with the midfielder receiving the club’s Player of the Month award in January and February.
He had already attracted attention as a teenager, notably starting Lille’s Champions League victory over Real Madrid in October 2024 at the age of 17.
Manchester City expect immediate midfield competition
Bouaddi’s arrival gives Maresca another young, technically gifted option as City reshape their midfield.
Anderson can operate both as a No. 6 and No. 8, meaning Bouaddi may face competition for a starting role rather than being guaranteed an immediate place in the first XI.
However, the midfielder’s profile fits City’s need for greater depth in the holding position. His defensive responsibilities, composure in possession and experience at the highest level despite his age make him a significant addition to a squad undergoing major midfield changes.
Manchester City remain interested in further midfield recruitment, with Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández also reported to be on their shortlist.
For Bouaddi, the move represents the biggest step of his young career. For City, it is another statement signing as Maresca begins rebuilding the midfield around a new generation of players.
The deal is expected to become official once Bouaddi completes his medical and signs his Manchester City contract.
