Manchester City agree terms to sign Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi
Manchester City have agreed terms to sign 18-year-old Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi following his standout performances for Morocco at the 2026 World Cup.
The Premier League champions are currently in advanced talks with the French club to finalise the transfer structure for the highly-rated teenager.
Despite the breakthrough in negotiations, an immediate move to Etihad Stadium remains uncertain for Enzo Maresca’s side.
Lille are reportedly willing to offer a discounted transfer fee if the English outfit allow the player to remain in Ligue 1 on loan or under a pre-contract agreement until 2027.
World Cup heroics spark global interest
The teenage prodigy attracted widespread attention this summer after anchoring the midfield for his country across North America.
He started all but one of his national team’s fixtures during the tournament, capping off a grueling 2025-26 domestic campaign where he missed just six league matches.
National team coach Mohamed Ouahbi praised the youngster’s exceptional maturity following a high-profile World Cup clash against Brazil.
“I can understand why Bouaddi has been a revelation to some people, but not to us,” Ouahbi stated.
“Naturally, playing that way against Brazil at such a young age, in an environment like this, will attract attention. But he is very mature for his age and he’ll remain grounded.”
Comparisons to Europe’s elite
The central midfielder had already established himself as one of Europe’s brightest prospects long before his international breakout.
French football expert Julien Laurens described the Moroccan international as being “not far from a genius” after a historic Champions League display.
The tireless midfielder dominated against Real Madrid on his 17th birthday, securing a memorable 1-0 group stage victory for the French outfit.
“Lille quickly realised that they had an absolute gem on their hands,” Laurens noted.
“He was the best player on the pitch on the day of his 17th birthday, which gave me a similar vibe to when Eduardo Camavinga bossed a game against Paris St-Germain at 16.”
Securing the signature of such a coveted talent would represent a significant coup for City as they look to future-proof their midfield.