Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi starred at the World Cup for Morocco
BySami MokbelSenior football correspondent- Published23 August 2026, 13:19 BST
Manchester City have agreed a deal in principle worth 100m euros (£85.6m) to sign 18-year-old Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi.
BBC Sport reported earlier this week that the two clubs were in advanced talks over a deal for the Morocco international to join City.
An agreement for the teenager to join Enzo Maresca's side is now in place, with Bouaddi now set to complete his protracted move to England with Lille accepting an initial fee of £81.4m, plus £4.2m in add-ons.
Having sold midfielders Rodri to Barcelona in a £65m deal and Tijjani Reinders to Saudi Arabian side Al-Qadsiah for £52m, City have prioritised central midfield as an area to strengthen.
They remain interested in Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez but it remains to be seen whether a deal can be struck.
They have already added England's Elliot Anderson for £116m from Nottingham Forest.
City host Bournemouth in their Premier League opener on Sunday (14:00 BST), having lost last weekend's Community Shield to Arsenal.
The maths whizz turned teenage World Cup star wanted by Man City
- Published15 minutes ago
Who is Bouaddi?
Bouaddi impressed at this summer's World Cup - starting five of Morocco's six matches in their run to the quarter-finals - after a starring role in Lille's Champions League victory over Real Madrid in 2024 announced him on the big stage.
He functions as a deep-lying conductor and would complement Anderson, who is comfortable as a box-to-box midfielder as well as the number six role he plays for England.
Bouaddi has played 88 times for Lille since making his debut in October 2023, three days after his 16th birthday, and helped them finish third in Ligue 1 last season.
He became the youngest footballer to ever play for Lille when he made his senior debut against KI just a few days after turning 16 in 2023.
He was serenaded by those inside the Stade Pierre-Mauroy after helping Lille defeat Real Madrid in the Champions League on his 17th birthday.
He then broke a record held by Eden Hazard after making 50 Ligue 1 appearances for Lille at the age of just 18.
