Transfer window: Ayyoub Bouaddi says yes to Manchester City

Ayyoub Bouaddi is on the verge of a major turning point in his young career. According to Fabrizio Romano, the Moroccan midfielder and his camp have reached an agreement on personal terms with Manchester City, who now need to finalize talks with LOSC. Negotiations between the Citizens and Lille are already well advanced, with a clear preference from the Moroccan midfielder to join the English club this summer rather than wait until 2027.

Ayyoub Bouaddi is preparing to take another leap in a meteoric rise. Having burst onto the scene with Lille before shining for Morocco at the 2026 World Cup, the young midfielder is now being courted by one of Europe’s biggest clubs. The deal with Lille could reach €105 million, according to various sources close to the matter.

A meteoric rise with Lille

Developed at LOSC, Bouaddi made his professional debut in October 2023 at just 16 years old. He quickly became one of the youngest players ever fielded by the northern French club and also gained his first taste of European competition.

The 2025-2026 season marked a new milestone. The midfielder featured in 30 matches for Lille, starting 28 of them, and logged over 2,300 minutes on the pitch. Offensively, his stats remain modest with just one assist, but his qualities in midfield have drawn attention: positional intelligence, ability to resist pressing, precise distribution, and maturity in ball management.

The 2026 World Cup changes everything

It was with Morocco, however, that Bouaddi truly made a name for himself in the media. After previously wearing the French youth national team shirts, he chose to represent the Atlas Lions.

His 2026 World Cup campaign sent his stock soaring. He played a key role in Morocco's historic run and made history himself in the quarter-final against France. At just 18 years old, he became the youngest player since Pelé to appear in a World Cup quarter-final.

This performance on football’s biggest stage confirmed his potential and accelerated his rise to prominence. Just weeks later, Manchester City has emerged as his likely next destination.

Manchester City could splash out over €100 million

At City, Bouaddi could continue his development alongside world-class players and in a system that demands both technical and tactical excellence. His profile as a midfielder who can handle pressure and help build play fits perfectly with the demands of the Manchester club.

The deal still needs to be finalized between Manchester City and Lille. But one thing seems certain: Bouaddi wants to make the move right now.

After his time at Lille and a World Cup that introduced him to the global stage, the young Moroccan is now closing in on a massive new challenge. In Manchester, he will no longer be seen as just a prospect to watch, but as a major investment for the future.

Nouya M'toama

Editorfr, en

Versatile journalist specializing in sports and political news, with extensive experience across radio, print and digital media platforms.

Related teams and leagues

Manchester City

Lille