Man City agree £86m deal for 18-year-old Bouaddi
Manchester City has finalized an £86 million deal to sign 18-year-old Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille. The transfer follows a series of high-profile midfield adjustments for the club, including the departures of Rodri and Tijjani Reinders.
Why it matters
This transfer highlights the massive financial inflation in European football and the increasing value placed on young, internationally proven talent.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi starred at the World Cup for Morocco
Senior football correspondent Published 23 August 2026, 13:19 BST Updated 34 minutes ago Manchester City have agreed a deal in principle worth 100m euros (£85.6m) to sign 18-year-old Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi.
BBC Sport reported earlier this week that the two clubs were in advanced talks over a deal for the Morocco international to join City.
An agreement for the teenager to join Enzo Maresca's side is now in place, with Bouaddi now set to complete his protracted move to England with Lille accepting an initial fee of £81.4m, plus £4.2m in add-ons.
Having sold midfielders Rodri to Barcelona in a £65m deal and Tijjani Reinders to Saudi Arabian side Al-Qadsiah for £52m, City have prioritised central midfield as an area to strengthen.
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