Manchester City Close to Signing Lille Midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi
A move for the 18-year-old would give City a long-term midfield option and force Lille to demand a large transfer fee.
Overview
- Multiple reports published Wednesday say Manchester City are in advanced talks to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi and have verbally agreed personal terms with the player, though no club has confirmed a deal.
- Lille value Bouaddi highly and point to his contract through 2029 as leverage, with media estimates of a transfer fee in the region of €100 million.
- Lille have already begun succession planning and have opened contact with Real Madrid about 20-year-old Castilla midfielder Jorge Cestero as a possible replacement, with a loan mooted as the likeliest route.
- Bouaddi rose to prominence with strong club form and standout displays for Morocco at the 2026 World Cup, which sharply increased his market profile and attracted interest from Europe’s top teams.
- Negotiations remain fluid and the next signs to watch are a formal agreement between clubs, medical completion, and whether City view Bouaddi as a planned long-term successor to Rodri or as a development signing.