Ayyoub Bouaddi to Man City: Transfer fee revealed as ‘record-breaking agreement’ is reached

Manchester City have reached an agreement with Lille to sign teenage midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, according to multiple reports.

The Citizens have held a strong interest in the 18-year-old starlet throughout this summer, but no serious breakthrough in negotiations has been made until now.

Both The Athletic and journalist Fabrizio Romano claim that the deal agreed is worth €100m (£85.6m), with €95m (£81.3m) to be paid up front and a further €5m (£4.3m) in add-ons.

Bouaddi has already agreed terms on a five-year contract through to June 2031 that will include the option of a further 12 months.

Lille were initially keen to keep hold of Bouaddi and favoured an exit for the midfielder in 2027, but they have now given the green light to let the youngster move to the Etihad Stadium in what represents a club-record sale for the French club, according to journalist Fabrice Hawkins.

Bouaddi has already played his final game for Lille and will not be selected in the club’s matchday squad for the Ligue 1 fixture away against Angers on Sunday afternoon.

Man City set to sign Bouaddi as Maresca oversees eye-catching midfield rebuild

Man City’s agreement to sign Bouaddi comes after the club’s decision to sell 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri to Barcelona for an initial £65.4m.

Fellow club legend Bernardo Silva also departed the Citizens following the conclusion of his contract in June, while Tijjani Reijnders has joined Al-Qadsiah and Nico Gonzalez is allegedly in talks over a potential move to Newcastle United.

Man City’s new manager Enzo Maresca is therefore on a desperate hunt to bolster his midfield before the September 1 deadline, with Bouaddi set to become the club’s second high-profile arrival after the £116m capture of Elliot Anderson.

Bouaddi emerged as one of the brightest stars of the 2026 World Cup after excelling at the heart of Morocco’s midfield over the summer.

Boldy described by Lille teammate Olivier Giroud as a mix between Patrick Vieira and Sergio Busquets, Bouaddi announced himself at the World Cup with an eye-catching performance in Morocco’s 1-1 group stage draw with Brazil, before helping the Atlas Lions reach the quarter-finals.

Bouaddi does not turn 19 until October, but he has already made 63 Ligue 1 appearances for Lille, while he played 40 times for the club across the French top tier and the Europa League in the 2025-26 season.

The midfielder’s impressive rise allegedly caught the attention of several European clubs including Premier League champions Arsenal, Spanish giants Real Madrid and French leaders Paris Saint-Germain, but Man City appear to have won the race for his signature.

Once Man City finalise their deal for Bouaddi, the club may turn their attention to Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez, who remains high on Maresca’s wishlist, while the Citizens are also in talks to sign Brazilian winger Allan from Palmerias.