Man City agree spectacular €100m Ayyoub Bouaddi transfer as Ornstein breaks down deal

Manchester City have agreed a deal in principle worth €100m (£86m) to sign 18-year-old Lille midfield sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi, with reputed transfer insider David Ornstein breaking down the details on the big-money move.

We’ve been reporting for some time that City were big admirers of the Morocco international and were looking to close out a deal for his signature ahead of rivals.

Indeed, on August 11 that City were close to agreeing the record signing of Bouaddi, making him the most expensive teenager in football history.

And now Ornstein has confirmed that an agreement is in place for the supremely talented teenager to join Enzo Maresca’s side, with a protracted switch on the brink of being officially signed off.

Having sold midfielders Rodri and Tijani Reinders, City have prioritised central midfield as an area to strengthen – having already spent £116m on bringing in Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest.

The Etihad outfit also remain interested in Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez, but our sources have indicated they will not pay the more than £120m asking price for the Argentine.

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Bouaddi signing multi-year deal at City

The Athletic reporter Ornstein has confirmed that the deal is worth €95m, plus a further €5m in add-ons, with the young midfielder signing a five-year contract with the option of a further year.

Bouaddi impressed at this summer’s World Cup, as he started five of Morocco’s six matches in their run to the quarter-finals.

He also played a starring role in Lille’s Champions League win over Real Madrid in 2024, a game which announced him on the big stage.

Despite nominally lining up in a defensive midfield role, which would allow Anderson to operate a bit further forward, Bouaddi is also capable of playing further forward.

Bouaddi has played 88 times for Lille since making his debut in October 2023, just three days after his 16th birthday, and helped them finish third in Ligue 1 last season.

If he signs early in the week, he could make his debut in Friday night’s Premier League trip to Crystal Palace.