Manchester City have completed the signing of Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille for a fee of £85.6 million, making the Moroccan midfielder the most expensive teenager in Premier League history. The 18-year-old has put pen to paper on a five-year contract, pending international clearance, with City structuring the deal as £81.4 million guaranteed plus a further £4.2 million in potential add-ons.
The move comes as part of a significant midfield overhaul at the Etihad under head coach Enzo Maresca, following the departures of Rodri to Barcelona for £65 million and Tijjani Reinders to Al-Qadsiah in a £52 million transfer. With two experienced central midfielders exiting the club, City moved swiftly to identify Bouaddi as a long-term successor in the deep-lying playmaker role.
Bouaddi's rise to prominence has been rapid. He made his senior debut for Lille at just 16 years old, becoming the youngest player ever to appear for the French club when he featured against Faroese side KI in the Europa League. He went on to play a pivotal part in Lille's memorable Champions League victory over Real Madrid in 2024, and by the time of his departure had racked up 96 appearances for the Ligue 1 outfit, helping them secure third place in the French top flight last season.
This summer, Bouaddi further enhanced his growing reputation on the international stage, starting five of Morocco's six fixtures as the team advanced to the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
Speaking after finalising the switch, Bouaddi expressed his excitement at joining one of Europe's most decorated clubs. "This is a very special day for me and my family. Manchester City are, for me, the best club in the world. It's a dream to be here and be able to call myself a City player," he said.
The teenager also reflected on the effort behind his development and his admiration for City's footballing identity. "I have spent most of my life working hard to become the best player I can be and reach the top of the game," he added. "I've watched City for many years, and I love their style of play. City always try and play quality football. And they have shown they are winners - this club feels like it's built to win."
The transfer fee eclipses the £58.9 million Manchester United paid Lille for defender Leny Yoro in 2024, underlining the growing premium clubs are willing to pay for elite young talent. Bouaddi is expected to operate as a deep-lying orchestrator in midfield, a role that should dovetail well with Elliot Anderson, the England international who joined City from Nottingham Forest for £116 million and who is capable of playing both as a box-to-box presence and in a deeper holding position.
City's business in the transfer market shows no signs of slowing, with the club also reportedly preparing an offer for Chelsea's Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez, though a deal for the 25-year-old — valued at around £120 million — remains uncertain.
The Bouaddi arrival follows a busy week of outgoing moves as well. Brazilian winger Savinho, now going by Savio, completed a £75 million switch to Tottenham, while Spurs have also struck a loan agreement for City's Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush. Spanish midfielder Nico Gonzalez looks set to depart the Etihad too, with a £52 million move to Newcastle understood to be close to completion.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.