Manchester City seal £85m Bouaddi signing from Lille to fill Rodri void

Manchester City have agreed a deal worth up to £85 million to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille, with the 18-year-old Morocco international set to put pen to paper on a five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium, with an option for a further 12 months. The transfer pushes City’s summer spending beyond the £200 million mark.

The initial fee is fixed at £81.4 million, rising to £85 million in add-ons over the course of Bouaddi’s time in Manchester. Both clubs reached agreement following extensive negotiations, and the player is expected to be unveiled this week.

City identified Bouaddi as a priority target once it became clear that Rodri would be leaving for Barcelona in a £65 million deal. New head coach Enzo Maresca had publicly called for the club to find the “new Rodri”, and senior figures at the club believe Bouaddi’s composure against experienced opposition makes him an ideal fit. Maresca also views the teenager as a long-term replacement for Bernardo Silva, who joined Real Madrid at the end of last season.

Bouaddi caught the eye at this summer’s World Cup, starting five of Morocco’s six matches as they reached the quarter-finals. City chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak was among those monitoring his performances closely throughout the tournament.

The teenager has already built a substantial club record despite his age. He made his Lille debut in October 2023, three days after turning 16, and has gone on to make 88 appearances for the French club. He helped Lille finish third in Ligue 1 last season and broke a record previously held by Eden Hazard by making 50 Ligue 1 appearances for the club at just 18 years old.

Bouaddi also announced himself on the European stage when he played a starring role in Lille’s shock Champions League victory over Real Madrid in 2024.

Despite landing Bouaddi, City are still seeking a direct replacement for Rodri as a holding midfielder. Talks with Chelsea over a deal for Enzo Fernandez have continued to stall.