Man City has completed the signing of Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille for a club-record £85.6 million deal, making the 18-year-old the most expensive teenager in Premier League history.
Bouaddi has signed a five-year contract with City, subject to international clearance. The deal includes an initial £81.4 million payment and a further £4.2 million in potential add-ons.
City moved for the highly rated midfielder following the departures of central midfielders Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders. Rodri joined Barcelona for £65 million, while Reijnders moved to Al-Qadsiah for £52 million.
Bouaddi arrives at the Etihad after establishing himself as an important player for Lille and impressing for Morocco at this summer’s World Cup.
The midfielder started five of Morocco’s six matches as they progressed to the quarter-finals, further increasing his profile on the international stage.
“This is a very special day for me and my family. Manchester City are, for me, the best club in the world,” Bouaddi said after completing the move.
“It’s a dream to be here and be able to call myself a City player. I have spent most of my life working hard to become the best player I can be and reach the top of the game.”
Bouaddi also praised City’s style of football, saying he had followed the club for years and admired their approach to the game.
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The transfer fee surpasses the £58.9 million Manchester United paid Lille for French defender Leny Yoro in 2024, making Bouaddi the most expensive teenager to move to a Premier League club.
Bouaddi made 96 appearances for Lille after making his senior debut in 2023. He became Lille’s youngest-ever senior player at the age of 16 when he featured against Faroese side KI in the Europa League.
The midfielder later attracted wider attention after playing a key role in Lille’s Champions League victory over Real Madrid in 2024.
At Manchester City, Bouaddi will be part of a revamped midfield as the club reshapes its squad following several major departures. City have already signed England midfielder Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116 million.
Bouaddi is expected to complement Anderson, with the Morocco international operating primarily as a deep-lying midfielder while Anderson can play as a box-to-box midfielder or in the number six position.
Manchester City are also reportedly considering a move for Chelsea and Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who is valued at around £120 million.
The arrival of Bouaddi is part of a busy period of transfer activity involving City. Brazilian winger Savinho, now known as Savio, recently left the club to join Tottenham in a £75 million deal.
Tottenham have also agreed a loan deal for Man City forward Omar Marmoush, while Spain midfielder Nico Gonzalez is set to leave for Newcastle in a £52 million transfer.
Bouaddi’s arrival, meanwhile, represents another major investment in young talent as Manchester City continue to strengthen and reshape their midfield.
BBC
