Manchester City agree £81.4m deal to sign Morocco's teenage World Cup star Ayyoub Bouaddi, 18, after new boss Enzo Maresca insisted club urgently need a Rodri replacement
Manchester City are set to complete the signing of Moroccan teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi for an initial £81.4million.
WAF Context
Manchester City have agreed a deal with Lille for 18-year-old Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. Reports differ on the total value: Guardian states €95m (£81.4m) plus €5m add-ons; BBC and Sky cite £86m (€100m); Daily Mail reports initial £81.4m. Manager Enzo Maresca identified Bouaddi as successor to Rodri, who joined Barcelona. The signing will bring City's summer spending to approximately £200m.
What we know
- Manchester City have agreed a deal with Lille for Bouaddi; fee reports range from £81.4m to £86m.
- The 18-year-old Morocco international midfielder was identified as Rodri's replacement following his Barcelona departure.
- Bouaddi's arrival will push City's total summer expenditure to nearly £200m.
Why it matters
City have moved swiftly to address the midfield void created by Rodri's departure, targeting a teenage prospect from Lille. The significant investment signals the club's priorities under new management and reflects the market value of elite midfield talent.
