MOROCCO youngster Ayyoub Bouaddi is set to become a Manchester City player after the Premier League club reached an agreement with French Ligue 1 side Lille over a transfer fee for the highly rated midfielder.
The 18-year-old central midfielder is expected to complete a deal worth a total package of £86 million, in what is set to become one of the biggest investments in a young player in English football.
News Point Nigeria Sport reports that Lille are set to receive £81.3 million as a fixed transfer fee, with the remaining amount coming through add-ons attached to the deal.
Bouaddi will become the most expensive youngster in the English Premier League, with his transfer fee surpassing the £58.9 million Manchester United paid for Leny Yoro in 2024.
The youngster was one of the breakout stars of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he impressed during Morocco’s campaign, including a dominant display against Brazil, and remained a permanent feature as the North African nation reached the quarter-finals before losing to France.
His impending move will make Bouaddi Manchester City’s sixth signing of the summer and only the second high-profile transfer for the Etihad-backed club as they begin life after coach Pep Guardiola, who left the club in June.
Bouaddi’s signing comes following the departures of midfielders Rodri to Barcelona, Bernardo Silva to Real Madrid and Tijjani Reijnders to Al-Qadsiah in Saudi Arabia.
The Morocco international has already made history at Lille, becoming the youngest player to feature in an official match for the club at the age of 16.
He also broke Lille’s record for the youngest player to reach 50 appearances, previously held by former club star Eden Hazard, before going on to make 83 appearances for the French club in all competitions ahead of his impending move to Manchester City.
