Man City Close in on Bouaddi Deal

Manchester City are edging closer to the signing of highly-rated Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, with talks now believed to be at an advanced stage.

The 18-year-old has been a long-term target for City after impressing in Lille’s 2024 Champions League campaign, while his value has skyrocketed on the back of a superb 2026 World Cup with Morocco.

Bouaddi started all of the Atlas Lions’ five matches at the tournament, as they were beaten by France at the quarter-final stage.

And, after the latest round of talks between the two clubs, a deal worth close to £85 million is on the verge of being struck.

City officials have been keen to accelerate discussions over the transfer, after accepting a package worth £65 million for the sale of midfield talisman Rodri, who looks set to depart the Etihad for Barcelona, after a trophy-laden seven years at the club.

The 30-year-old is recovering from back surgery and missed City’s 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield on Sunday.

And Bouaddi is seen as a direct replacement for the Spaniard, with the youngster seen as the perfect creative foil alongside new City signing Elliot Anderson.

City struggled to evade the Arsenal press during their defeat at the weekend, and it’s clear what is needed is a midfielder who is comfortable picking up the ball in tight areas and launching attacks through the centre of the pitch.

And Bouaddi certainly fits the bill, while also providing a level of aggression that is sometimes missing from the City side, particularly when Rodri has been absent. Bouaddi picked up nine yellow cards and was sent off twice during the 2025-26 Ligue 1 campaign.

If a deal is completed this week, he could make his debut in City’s Premier League opener at home to Bournemouth on Sunday.