Manchester City land their man as midfield reinforcement is on the way | OneFootball

Manchester City have had their eyes on adding Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi to their squad all summer. With Tijjani Reijnders and Rodri having departed the club, Enzo Maresca’s squad is in need of midfield reinforcements. The hope was that City could sign Bouaddi at some point over the past week. Unfortunately, that didn’t occur. Ahead of Manchester City’s opening Premier League fixture of the 2026-27 season against Bournemouth, it has been revealed that City and Lille have reached an agreement that will see Bouaddi become a Manchester City player. The first of what could be several midfield dominoes has now fallen.

Manchester City and Lille have reached an agreement that will see Ayyoub Bouaddi sign for the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders.

Respected journalist Fabrice Hawkins has reported that Manchester City have agreed to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille for €100 million including add-ons (£85 million). Furthermore, Hawkins reports that the deal is a record-breaking sale for Lille. Hawkins adds that while Bouaddi was included in Lille’s squad for their upcoming match against Angers, he will be withdrawn from their squad ahead of his move to Manchester City.

Following on from Fabrice Hawkins’ report, Fabrizio Romano has given Manchester City’s imminent signing of Ayyoub Bouaddi his trademark here we go. Romano adds that Bouaddi agreed personal terms with City in July and will imminently become a member of Enzo Maresca’s squad.

Midfield reinforcement is on the way to bolster Enzo Maresca’s squad.

There was an air of confidence about Enzo Maresca when he spoke about what Manchester City needed to complete before the transfer window closed. The Italian manager had full faith that City would complete the necessary moves that were required. The news that Ayyoub Bouaddi will sign for the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders imminently fully justifies Maresca’s confidence.

Ayyoub Bouaddi is regarded as one the premier young midfielders in world football. Ever since he burst onto the scene at Lille, the 18-year-old has always seemed ready for the biggest of stages. He shone at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Morocco and showed there that they hype is justified. In Bouaddi, Manchester City will be getting a midfielder who has the potential to become the heart of their midfield for years to come. It will take time for Bouaddi to adjust to life in the Premier League when he does become a City player. But his clear talent and scope for improvement has him earmarked as a player who could potentially be a mainstay of Manchester City’s midfield for years to come.

Ayyoub Bouaddi will become a Manchester City player at some point next week. After lengthy negotiations with Lille, City have landed their man. Midfield reinforcements are on their way to the Etihad and it is highly unlikely that Bouaddi will be Manchester City’s only midfield signing before the transfer window closes.