Manchester City have made another huge statement in midfield by completing the signing of Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille for €100 million (£85.6m). At only 18, the Morocco international arrives with a huge price tag, but also with the belief that he can become a star at the Etihad.
City will pay €95m up front, with a further €5m available in bonuses. Bouaddi has signed a contract until 2031, keeping him at the club through the next phase of his career.
The deal makes Bouaddi the most expensive teenager in Premier League history. He moves past Leny Yoro, whose €70m transfer from Lille to Manchester United in 2024 had previously held the record.
Bouaddi now joins a City midfield that is still being rebuilt. His arrival follows Elliot Anderson’s move from Nottingham Forest and comes after Rodri left for Barcelona earlier this summer.
The need for another midfielder was clear in City’s Premier League opener against Bournemouth. New manager Enzo Maresca even used centre-back Marc Guéhi in midfield, underlining the need for more options in the middle.
Bouaddi arrives with growing international experience. He started five of Morocco’s six matches at this summer’s World Cup and caught the eye in their 1-1 draw against Brazil.
“Manchester City are, for me, the best club in the world,” Bouaddi said. “It’s a dream to be here and be able to call myself a City player.”
The teenager has also made it clear that City’s football attracted him. “I love their style of play,” he said, while praising the club’s winning culture and demanding standards.
He also has his eyes firmly on the Premier League. “Every player dreams to play in the Premier League and I hope I am going to play in the Premier League very soon.”
Yet City’s midfield rebuild may not be finished. They remain linked with Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández, while Savio has moved to Tottenham and Omar Marmoush is also expected to follow.
