Manchester City Reaches Personal Terms with Lille Midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi Amid Rodri Exit

Manchester City is close to finalizing a major signing after agreeing on personal terms with Lille's young midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. As the club prepares for life following Rodri’s departure to Barcelona, manager Enzo Maresca has targeted the Moroccan talent to strengthen the midfield.

City Moves Quickly for Rising Star

The Premier League champions have made significant progress in their pursuit of Bouaddi. At just 18 years old, Bouaddi has become a key figure for both Lille and Morocco, impressing with his performances and making him a priority for City's summer overhaul. The deal is reportedly nearing completion ahead of the new season kickoff in under two weeks.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano shared on X that Bouaddi and his representatives are eager to join Manchester City immediately rather than waiting until 2027. Negotiations with Lille are the next step to finalize the transfer.

Bouaddi’s Rapid Rise

Over the 2025-26 season, Bouaddi cemented his place as a regular starter, appearing in 35 Ligue 1 matches and adding five substitute appearances across league and Europa League games. His mature physicality and ability to control the game from deep positions have drawn comparisons with some of football’s best midfielders.

Internationally, Bouaddi has already started five matches for Morocco at the World Cup, showcasing his talent on one of football’s biggest stages despite his youth.

Maresca’s Midfield Rebuild

Adding Bouaddi would push Manchester City's summer spending close to £200 million, following their earlier big-money signing of Elliott Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116 million. Lille initially valued Bouaddi at around €100 million (£86 million), but recent reports indicate City might secure the player for between €70 million and €80 million.

Transition After Rodri

The timing of this potential signing coincides with Rodri's imminent move to Barcelona, which could be confirmed soon. Maresca views Bouaddi as an integral piece in reshaping the team’s midfield after Rodri’s exit, a challenge he faces early into his tenure at the club.

With personal terms agreed, the remaining step involves finalizing the payment details and any add-ons between Manchester City and Lille. Bouaddi’s desire to join immediately fuels optimism that the transfer will conclude shortly.

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