Man City agree 100m euro deal to sign 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille
On 23 August 2026 Manchester City and Lille agreed in principle a 100m euro (£85.6m) transfer for 18-year-old Morocco international Ayyoub Bouaddi, with an agreement now in place for him to join Enzo Maresca's side.
BBC Sport reported earlier this week that the two clubs were in advanced talks over the move. Bouaddi started five of Morocco's six matches as they reached the World Cup quarter-finals and has been prominent at senior international level since breaking through at Lille.
Lille have accepted an initial fee of £81.4m for Bouaddi, with a further £4.2m in add-ons included in the deal. The transfer is described in the club statements as the conclusion of a protracted move to England.
Manchester City have reshaped their midfield this summer, having sold Rodri to Barcelona for £65m and Tijjani Reinders to Al-Qadsiah for £52m. They have also completed the signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116m and remain interested in Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez, although it is unclear whether that deal will be completed.
Bouaddi has made 88 appearances for Lille since his senior debut in October 2023, three days after his 16th birthday, and he helped the club finish third in Ligue 1 last season. He holds the club record as the youngest player to appear for Lille after making his debut against KI a few days after turning 16 in 2023.
He was part of Lille's Champions League victory over Real Madrid in 2024 and was serenaded inside the Stade Pierre-Mauroy after helping Lille defeat Real Madrid on his 17th birthday. Bouaddi later broke a record held by Eden Hazard by making 50 Ligue 1 appearances at the age of 18.
Bouaddi operates as a deep-lying conductor in midfield and is expected to complement Anderson, who is comfortable as a box-to-box midfielder as well as in the number six role he occupies for England.
Manchester City host Bournemouth in their Premier League opener on Sunday (14:00 BST), having lost last weekend's Community Shield to Arsenal.
