Manchester City Closes In On £102 Million Ayyoub Bouaddi After Key First-Team Promise

Manchester City is reportedly on the verge of signing Ayyoub Bouaddi, the highly sought-after 18-year-old Moroccan midfielder from Lille OSC, in a deal valued around £102 million. This significant breakthrough comes after City's clear promise to integrate Bouaddi directly into their first-team squad, a key factor that swayed the young talent amidst heavy competition from other top European clubs. The race for Bouaddi intensified after his standout performances at the FIFA World Cup 2026, where he helped Morocco reach the quarter-finals. While Lille's president, Olivier Létang, initially hoped to keep Bouaddi for another season or secure a loan-back agreement, City's new manager, Enzo Maresca, played a crucial role by outlining a clear long-term project for the midfielder, convincing Bouaddi to make an immediate move. This shift from a potential loan-back strategy appears to be the 'twist' that sealed the agreement, with Bouaddi reportedly agreeing to a contract with City until 2031. With an agreement reportedly in place between Manchester City, Lille, and Bouaddi's representatives, the final details of the transfer fee are now being ironed out. This potential acquisition would mark a major statement in the current Transfer Window, especially following City's recent £116 million signing of Elliot Anderson. Football fans and rivals will be closely watching how quickly the Moroccan wonderkid settles into the Premier League and Enzo Maresca's plans.