Manchester City agree personal terms with Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi
Manchester City have agreed personal terms with Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, beating rivals Manchester United to the signature of the 18-year-old Moroccan international.
The Premier League champions are now expected to finalise a transfer fee with the French club, which is anticipated to be in the region of £86m.
Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano reported that the teenager’s camp has finalised terms, noting the player’s strong preference for an immediate move to the Etihad Stadium rather than waiting until 2027.
Midfield rebuild continues
The blue half of Manchester has already been highly active in the summer market, spending heavily to refresh their squad.
The Etihad club’s notable summer arrivals include:
- Elliot Anderson – £116m
- Mathys Detourbet – £21.4m
- Jeremy Monga – £10m
- Pierce Charles – £3m
Manager Enzo Maresca is continuing to build for the future as speculation mounts regarding the potential departure of Spanish international Rodri to Barcelona.
The highly-rated Moroccan emerged as a global talent following his dominant displays against senior opposition at the recent World Cup.
Lille president Olivier Letang has previously described the young pivot as a unique prospect within the modern game.
United forced to look elsewhere
Cross-city rivals Manchester United had also shown strong interest in the deep-lying playmaker as Michael Carrick searches for a long-term successor to Casemiro.
Former United defender Rio Ferdinand had publicly urged the Old Trafford hierarchy to secure the signature of the promising teenager.
“I would go and get Bouaddi, the 18-year-old midfielder. 100 per cent I’m taking him, building stuff around him.” Rio Ferdinand
However, the Red Devils are now expected to prioritise an established replacement who can deliver immediate results, rather than matching City’s vast outlay on a developing prospect.