Manchester City reportedly reach agreement with Lille for highly rated teenage midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi.
Manchester City have reportedly agreed an £86 million ($117 million) deal with Lille to sign highly rated Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, according to international media reports.
The Premier League champions moved for the 18-year-old midfielder as they look to rebuild their midfield following the departures of Rodri to Barcelona and Tijjani Reijnders to Al-Qadsiah. Manager Enzo Maresca has identified the centre of the pitch as a key area requiring reinforcement.
Bouaddi has emerged as one of Morocco’s most impressive young players. The French-born midfielder reportedly played a significant role in Morocco’s recent World Cup campaign, helping the team progress to the quarter-finals before suffering elimination against France.
Manchester City had been in negotiations with Lille for several weeks before reportedly reaching an agreement over the teenager. Bouaddi is now expected to travel to England for a medical, with the transfer set to be completed once the final formalities are concluded.
The midfielder would become part of a significantly reshaped City squad under Maresca. England international Elliot Anderson is also expected to play an important role in the new-look midfield as the club adjusts to major changes following the end of Pep Guardiola’s tenure.
Bouaddi’s arrival would underline Manchester City’s willingness to invest heavily in emerging talent while addressing immediate needs in midfield. The teenager is widely regarded as one of the most promising young midfielders in European football.
City are also reportedly monitoring Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez. However, a proposed move for the Argentina international has not materialised after Chelsea’s deadline for bids passed without an agreement. Fernandez is reportedly valued at around £120 million.
The reported Bouaddi transfer would therefore represent a major step in Maresca’s plans to rebuild Manchester City’s midfield. If completed, the move would give the 18-year-old an opportunity to continue his rapid development in the Premier League while becoming part of the club’s next generation of midfield talent.