Manchester City Reaches Personal Terms with Lille Midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi Amid Midfield Overhaul
Manchester City has agreed personal terms with Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, as the club looks to reshape its midfield ahead of the new season. With Rodri set to join Barcelona, Enzo Maresca is targeting Bouaddi to fill the gap left in the squad.
Fast-Moving Transfer for Morocco International
The 18-year-old Moroccan talent has become a priority for the Premier League champions after impressive displays for both club and country. The agreement on personal terms signals a significant step forward, with the final stages of the transfer expected to conclude before the league kicks off in less than two weeks.
Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano shared via X that Bouaddi and his representatives have finalized personal terms with Manchester City. Romano noted that Bouaddi prefers to join the English side immediately rather than waiting until 2027, highlighting the player's eagerness to make the move.
Rapid Rise of Ayyoub Bouaddi
In the 2025-26 season, Bouaddi established himself firmly within Lille’s starting eleven, tallying 35 starts and five substitute appearances across Ligue 1 and Europa League matches. His mature physical presence and ability to control the game from deeper positions have drawn comparisons to some of football's elite midfielders.
His value increased further after earning five starts for Morocco at the World Cup, all while still just 18 years old.
Enzo Maresca's Midfield Revamp
The deal for Bouaddi would mark another major investment by Manchester City, potentially pushing their summer expenditure close to £200 million. This follows the £116 million signing of Elliott Anderson from Nottingham Forest earlier in the window.
Discussions between the clubs intensified recently. Initially, Lille sought around €100 million (£86m) for their prized asset. Reports now suggest City might secure the transfer for a fee in the €70-80 million range, including add-ons.
Transition After Rodri's Exit
With Rodri's impending move to Barcelona nearing completion, Maresca views Bouaddi as a vital piece in his revamped squad. Securing Bouaddi is seen as one of the most challenging tasks Maresca has tackled since taking charge.
While personal terms are settled, the remaining step is finalizing the transfer fee details between Manchester City and Lille. Given Bouaddi’s preference to move now, there's strong optimism that the deal will be closed soon.
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