Man City Strengthen Midfield with £86m Signing of Morocco Star Bouaddi

Manchester City have agreed a deal in principle worth up to £86 million to sign 18-year-old Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi,Ayyoub Bouaddi, marking another major step in the club’s midfield overhaul.

The agreement, reported by BBC Sport, is structured as an initial £81.4 million fee plus £4.2 million in potential add-ons. Bouaddi, a Morocco international, is expected to complete his move to the Etihad Stadium in the coming days after advanced talks between the two clubs.

The signing comes at a pivotal moment for City. Following the departures of Rodri to Barcelona for £65 million and Tijjani Reijnders to Saudi side Al-Qadsiah for £52 million, the club has prioritised strengthening central midfield under new head coach Enzo Maresca. City had already broken their transfer record earlier in the summer by signing England midfielder Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116 million. Bouaddi is viewed as a complementary piece — a deep-lying playmaker who can dictate tempo and progress the ball from the base of midfield.

Bouaddi has enjoyed a rapid rise. He made his senior debut for Lille just three days after turning 16 in October 2023, becoming the youngest player in the club’s history. He has since accumulated 88 appearances and helped Lille finish third in Ligue 1 last season. His breakthrough on the European stage came in the Champions League when he starred in a memorable victory over Real Madrid on his 17th birthday. He later broke Eden Hazard’s record by reaching 50 Ligue 1 appearances at the age of 18.

His performances at the recent World Cup further elevated his profile. Bouaddi started five of Morocco’s six matches as the Atlas Lions reached the quarter-finals, showcasing composure, progressive passing, and tactical maturity beyond his years. Those displays attracted interest from several top European clubs, but City moved decisively to secure the deal.

At £86 million, the transfer is significant but falls short of City’s club record. Anderson remains the most expensive signing in the club’s history. Nevertheless, Bouaddi is set to become one of the most expensive teenage arrivals in Premier League history, underlining both his potential and the inflated market for elite young talent.

City host Bournemouth in their Premier League opener on Sunday. While Bouaddi is unlikely to feature immediately, his arrival signals clear intent: the club is investing heavily in youth and quality to reshape the midfield for the post-Guardiola era. If the teenager continues on his current trajectory, the fee could prove a shrewd long-term investment.