Manchester City have reportedly reached an agreement with Lille to sign highly rated midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, with the deal potentially worth up to €100 million (£86 million). Sky Sports reports that City will pay approximately £81.3 million upfront plus £4.3 million in potential add-ons, while Reuters and The Guardian have also reported an agreement between the clubs.
The transfer has not yet been officially announced by Manchester City, meaning Bouaddi should still be described as an expected signing rather than a confirmed City player. The move would represent another significant investment in City’s midfield as new head coach Enzo Maresca reshapes the squad following several major departures.
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Who Is Ayyoub Bouaddi?
Bouaddi is an 18-year-old midfielder who developed through Lille’s academy before establishing himself in the French club’s senior team. Despite his age, he has already accumulated considerable first-team experience. Lille confirmed that Bouaddi made 42 appearances in all competitions during the 2025/26 season, including 37 starts, as he completed his third campaign at senior level.
He primarily operates in deeper central midfield positions and is comfortable receiving possession under pressure, progressing the ball and contributing defensively. Bouaddi’s reputation increased further during the 2026 World Cup. The Morocco international started five of his country’s six matches as Morocco reached the quarter-finals, adding major international experience to an already impressive résumé for an 18-year-old.
Why Manchester City Want Bouaddi
The City’s midfield has undergone major changes this summer. Rodri’s departure to Barcelona left an obvious hole at the base of midfield, while Bernardo Silva and Tijjani Reijnders have also moved on. City responded by signing Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, but Bouaddi would give Maresca another high-level option for the deeper midfield positions.
The need for additional cover was visible during City’s 2-1 Premier League victory over Bournemouth. Maresca surprisingly used defender Marc Guéhi in midfield during the match as City continued adjusting to their new-look squad. Although Guéhi scored the equaliser before Josko Gvardiol secured a stoppage-time winner, using a centre-back in midfield underlined the lack of settled options available to the new manager.
Bouaddi would not necessarily be expected to replace Rodri immediately. At only 18, there would naturally be an adaptation period as he adjusts from Ligue 1 to the Premier League. However, City appear to be investing not only in his current ability but also in his long-term potential.
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How Could Bouaddi Fit Into Maresca’s Midfield?
Maresca places significant responsibility on his central midfielders during buildup. Bouaddi’s comfort receiving the ball in deeper areas could make him useful as part of a double pivot or as the deepest midfielder when City dominate possession.
The presence of Anderson means City would not need to make Bouaddi responsible for the midfield immediately. Instead, Maresca could rotate the pair and gradually determine which combinations provide the best balance between defensive security and progression. His arrival would also give City more freedom to use other midfielders in advanced positions rather than repeatedly asking players to cover unfamiliar deeper roles.
Is the Transfer Confirmed?
Not yet. The important distinction is that multiple reliable outlets are reporting that Manchester City and Lille have reached an agreement, but Manchester City have not yet formally announced Bouaddi as a new signing.
Reports suggest the midfielder is expected to undergo the remaining formalities before completing the transfer. Until that happens, the move should be treated as an agreed deal rather than an officially completed transfer.
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What the Deal Means for Manchester City
If completed, Bouaddi would become another major part of City’s post-Pep Guardiola rebuild. The reported fee is enormous for an 18-year-old, but his extensive senior experience, Champions League exposure and performances for Morocco help explain why City are prepared to invest so heavily. More importantly, the move addresses an identifiable squad need rather than simply adding another attacking player.
Maresca has inherited a Manchester City midfield going through substantial change. Bouaddi would not be expected to recreate Rodri immediately, but his profile gives City another specialist option in an area where their opening Premier League match showed they still need greater balance. For now, the agreement appears close to becoming one of the biggest deals of the final days of the 2026 summer transfer window.