Manchester City are in advanced negotiations with Lille over the signing of Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, 18, as the club moves to reshape its midfield following the departure of Rodri. The Premier League club is pushing to finalise the transfer this week, with Lille said to value the teenager at 100m euros, or roughly £85.6m.
According to Sky Sports, City have already agreed personal terms with Bouaddi, with the two clubs still working through the finer details of the transfer fee. Separately, Morocco World News reports that the midfielder has agreed to a six-year contract with City that would run until June 2031.
Why does City want another midfielder after signing Anderson?
Bouaddi's rise to prominence accelerated at this year's World Cup, where he started five of Morocco's six matches as the side reached the quarter-finals. That form built on the platform he established during Lille's Champions League win over Real Madrid in 2024, a result that first brought him wider recognition.
Operating as a deep-lying playmaker, Bouaddi is seen as a natural fit alongside Elliot Anderson, City's summer signing who can play both as a box-to-box midfielder and in the deeper role he occupies for England. Since making his debut for Lille in October 2023, just three days after turning 16, Bouaddi has made 88 appearances for the club and played a part in their third-place finish in Ligue 1 last season.
Sky Sports has also reported that City's pursuit of Bouaddi is tied to the possibility of Rodri leaving for Barcelona, with the young Moroccan viewed as a long-term option to fill that role in Pep Guardiola's midfield. An earlier report from a national newspaper's football desk stated City had been prepared to pay around 100m euros for Bouaddi, a figure Lille have continued to hold firm on.
What is happening with Rodri's move to Barcelona?
Spain captain Rodri is expected to complete a switch to Barcelona on a four-year deal. While the original valuation was put at £65m, ESPN has since reported that Barcelona and City reached an agreement in principle worth €76.5m, with paperwork now being finalised between the two clubs.
The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner has made 298 appearances across seven trophy-filled seasons since joining City from Atletico Madrid in 2019 for what was then a club-record £62.8m. Rodri missed a large portion of the 2024-25 season through a serious knee injury and was further hampered by a hamstring problem last term, but he returned to top form at the World Cup this summer, captaining Spain to their second global title and being named the tournament's outstanding player.
Could City still move for Enzo Fernandez?
It remains unclear whether a successful deal for Bouaddi would affect City's continued interest in Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez. Chelsea expect the Argentina international to remain at the club for the rest of the season after their self-imposed deadline for City to submit a bid passed last Friday without action.
Despite that, sources have indicated City are still tracking the 25-year-old, even accounting for Chelsea's stance, the arrival of Anderson and the advanced talks for Bouaddi. ESPN has reported that Fernandez remains among City's targets, with well-placed sources suggesting manager Enzo Maresca continues to hold a strong interest in the player as the transfer window progresses toward its 1 September deadline.
How has Bouaddi built his reputation at such a young age?
Bouaddi's willingness to perform under pressure has defined his career so far, even before his exposure on the World Cup stage. The teenager has spent much of his career competing against considerably older opponents without appearing overwhelmed by the occasion.
He became Lille's youngest-ever senior player when he made his debut against KI just days after his 16th birthday in 2023. He was later celebrated by supporters inside the Stade Pierre-Mauroy after Lille's win over Real Madrid, a match that fell on his 17th birthday. By the age of 18, he had also surpassed a milestone previously held by Eden Hazard, reaching 50 Ligue 1 appearances for Lille faster than the Belgian had managed.
What happens next?
Rodri is set to undergo a medical examination with Barcelona in the coming days as the two clubs work to complete his transfer, according to Sky Sports. Meanwhile, negotiations between City and Lille over Bouaddi are reported to be centred on agreeing a final transfer fee, with both sides yet to confirm the terms publicly.
Key Facts
- Manchester City are negotiating a move for Lille's Ayyoub Bouaddi, 18, with Lille valuing him at around £85.6m.
- Bouaddi has reportedly agreed personal terms with City, including a six-year contract until 2031, according to Morocco World News.
- Rodri's transfer to Barcelona is reported by ESPN to be agreed in principle at €76.5m, with a medical expected soon.
- City are still said to be interested in Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez despite their moves for Anderson and Bouaddi.
- Bouaddi made his Lille debut in October 2023 at 16 and has since made 88 appearances for the club.
