Man City reach agreement to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi for €100m

News

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

Manchester City have reached a full agreement to sign Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi for a fee worth €100 million.

Enzo Maresca’s side have been in talks over a deal for the Morocco international for several weeks, following his eye-catching form at the World Cup, and they have now finally secured a deal to bring him to the Etihad Stadium.

Man City have already strengthened their midfield roster with the €135m signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, however they have agreed a deal for Bouaddi following the sale of Rodri to Barcelona.

As first reported by RMC Sport reporter Fabrice Hawkins, the transfer is worth €100m, including add-ons, and the deal will be formally announced shortly, with Bouaddi not in Lille’s squad to face Angers on Sunday afternoon.

The news has been confirmed by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who posted on X: “BREAKING: Ayyoub Bouaddi to Manchester City, here we go! Deal agreed club to club.

“Fee to reach €100m package with add-ons. Green light from Lille to the sale. Bouaddi agreed terms with City in July and [is] now set to join [the] Man City project.”

David Ornstein reports that Man City will pay an initial fee of €95m with €5m in add-ons, with the teenager set to sign a five-year contract, with the option for a further 12 months.

Bouaddi, 18, has 96 first-team appearances for Lille under his belt, and despite rumours suggesting that he could join Man City in 2027, he is set to immediately become a key player under Maresca following Rodri's exit.

Man City transfer plans

In addition, Man City remain interested in Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who is understood to be eager to complete a move to the club before Transfer Deadline day on 1 September.

Meanwhile, they are in advanced talks over a deal for Palmeiras winger Allan, who is set to replace his compatriot Savinho at the Etihad Stadium.

City have agreed to sell Savinho to Tottenham Hotspur for a fee just shy of €100m and Roberto De Zerbi's side are also in talks over a deal for Omar Marmoush as they eye significant forward reinforcements following a 3-0 loss to Brentford in their first fixture of the new Premier League season.