Man City agree record-breaking £86m deal for sublime Ligue 1 midfielder | OneFootball

Manchester City have agreed a deal in principle worth €100m (£86m) to sign 18-year-old Lille midfield sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi, as per The Athletic’s David Ornstein.

City have been chasing the Morocco international for a number of weeks, especially after it emerged that Rodri was edging closer to a move to Barcelona.

Our friends over at TEAMtalk revealed on August 11 that Man City were ‘close to agreeing the record signing of Bouaddi‘, making him the most expensive teenager in football history as a result.

And now Ornstein has confirmed that an agreement is in place for the supremely talented teenager to join Enzo Maresca’s side, with a protracted switch on the brink of being officially signed off.

Having sold Rodri and then Tijani Reinders, City have prioritised central midfield as an area to strengthen – having already spent £116m on England World Cup star Elliot Anderson.

The Etihad outfit also remain interested in Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez, although they are currently backing off any deal given Chelsea’s asking price of in excess of £120m.

Bouaddi to sign lengthy City contract

The Athletic reporter Ornstein has confirmed that the deal is worth €95m, plus a further €5m in add-ons, with the young midfielder signing a five-year contract with the option of a further year.

Bouaddi made a major impression at this summer’s World Cup, starting five of Morocco’s six matches in their run to the quarter-finals.

He also played a starring role in Lille’s Champions League win over Real Madrid in 2024, a game which announced him on the European stage.

Despite predominantly lining up in a defensive midfield role, which would allow Anderson to operate a bit further forward, Bouaddi also has the playmaking ability to play further forward.

Bouaddi has played 88 times for Lille since making his debut in October 2023, just three days after his 16th birthday, and helped them finish third in Ligue 1 last season.

If he signs early in the week, he could make his debut in Friday night’s Premier League trip to the capital to take on Crystal Palace.