Ayyoub Bouaddi transfer: Manchester City seal record £86m deal for Lille’s Morocco teen star

Manchester City have agreed a major transfer for 18-year-old Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille. The deal is worth up to £86 million and will see the teenager become the most expensive teenage signing in Premier League history.

Full details of the agreement

Manchester City are paying a fixed fee of £81.3 million plus a further £4.3 million in add-ons. That takes the total package to around €100 million. Lille held firm on their valuation throughout talks and have now secured the figure they wanted. The move follows City’s earlier club-record £116 million signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest earlier in the window.

Ayyoub Bouaddi’s fee comfortably beats the previous high for a teenager. Manchester United paid Lille £58.9 million for defender Leny Yoro in 2024. The Morocco international now sits clear at the top of that list.

World Cup displays raised his price

Ayyoub Bouaddi was one of the breakout performers for Morocco at this summer’s World Cup. His performances on the biggest stage pushed his value higher and left several top clubs interested. City moved quickly once Lille signalled they were ready to sell at the right price.

The teenager can play as a defensive midfielder or push into a more advanced central role. That flexibility is expected to give Pep Guardiola useful options as he reshapes his midfield.

Manchester City rebuild after key exits

Manchester City are rebuilding the middle of the pitch after the departures of Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Tijjani Reijnders. Those exits created clear gaps in both quality and depth. Bouaddi’s arrival helps fill part of that space, yet the club is still looking at further options.

City remain interested in Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez and Roma’s Manu Kone. There is also uncertainty surrounding Nico Gonzalez, who has been linked with a move to Newcastle. More midfield business is still possible before the window shuts.

What the teenager offers

At only 18, Ayyoub Bouaddi already shows the physical strength and technical ability needed for Premier League football. He can win the ball high up the pitch and then drive forward with purpose. Coaches who worked with him at Lille have highlighted his composure and decision-making under pressure, qualities that stood out during Morocco’s World Cup run.

Young players often need time to adjust to the intensity of English football. The size of the fee, however, suggests City believe he can contribute sooner rather than later. Supporters will be watching closely to see how quickly he settles at the Etihad.

Long-term investment continues

The deal highlights Manchester City’s willingness to spend big on emerging talent. Combined with the Anderson transfer, the club has now committed more than £200 million to two players still in their early twenties. That level of investment shows the priority placed on securing long-term control of midfield.

Bouaddi is expected to complete the formalities in the coming days. Once international clearance and the work permit process are finished, he could be available for selection. For Lille, the sale represents a strong financial return on a player who only recently established himself in the first team.