Manchester City in Talks to Sign Ayyoub Bouaddi After Rodri Sale

Manchester City are closing in on one of Europe’s most coveted young midfielders, with talks at an advanced stage over a deal for Lille and Morocco talent Ayyoub Bouaddi.

The Premier League champions are pushing to wrap up the transfer this week after agreeing to sell Rodri to Barcelona, a move that has forced a rapid reshaping of Pep Guardiola’s midfield options.

Lille are understood to value the 18-year-old at around 100 million euros (£85.6m) – a price tag that reflects both his current influence and his potential to dominate the centre of the pitch for the next decade.

World Cup Breakout and Champions League Statement

Bouaddi’s rise has been sharp and loud.

He started five of Morocco’s six matches at this summer’s World Cup, anchoring their run to the quarter-finals and confirming his status as the heartbeat of a side built on discipline and bravery. That tournament only amplified what Europe’s elite had already seen.

His real coming‑of‑age moment arrived in 2024, when he produced a standout performance in Lille’s Champions League victory over Real Madrid. That night pushed him from promising prospect to serious headline name, the kind of midfielder clubs build long-term plans around.

The Profile City Want

City see Bouaddi as a deep‑lying conductor, a player who can dictate rhythm from the base of midfield, break lines with his passing and keep them on the front foot.

He would slot alongside summer signing Elliot Anderson, whose versatility allows him to operate as a box‑to‑box presence or in the number six role he has taken on with England. The blend is obvious: Anderson’s energy and range paired with Bouaddi’s composure and orchestration.

For a side losing Rodri, the metronome of their treble-winning years, City are not looking for a like‑for‑like copy. They are trying to evolve the shape of their midfield around a new axis.

Teenage Veteran

Despite his age, Bouaddi already carries the numbers of a seasoned professional.

He has made 88 appearances for Lille since debuting in October 2023, just three days after his 16th birthday. Thrown in early, he never looked back, driving Lille to a third‑place finish in Ligue 1 last season and becoming non‑negotiable in their starting XI.

Now, with City moving decisively and Lille holding out for a fee that reflects his importance, the next step in his rapid ascent is in sight.

If the deal lands this week, the champions will walk into the new season having lost Rodri but secured one of the most intriguing midfield projects in world football.