Teenage sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi is heading to Manchester City to replace Bernardo Silva and provide new boss Enzo Maresca with a much needed boost
Manchester City are confident of landing Morocco star Ayyoub Bouaddi in an £85m deal before the end of this week.
Etihad bosses have advanced talks with their Lille counterparts following the sale of Rodri to Barcelona. The teenage sensation has told his club he wants to leave to join the English giants.
It's understood Bouaddi will agree a five-year-deal with City, that will keep him at the Etihad until 2031 at least. Bouaddi, 18, has emerged as one of the most talented and exciting teenagers in world football.
City chiefs kept close tabs on his progress at this summer's World Cup, once it became clear Rodri would be leaving to return to Spain. Bouaddi impressed at the tournament, starting five of Morocco's six matches in their run to the last eight.
City chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak has been impressed with how Bouaddi has been able to step up on the big occasions as his burgeoning career has developed.
Senior club figures believe Bouaddi's ability to remain unfazed and be able to compete against more senior and experienced players makes him an ideal fit for the City team.
Before the World Cup, Bouaddi had a starring role in Lille's shock Champions League win over Real Madrid in 2024, when he announced himself onto the big stage.
New City boss Enzo Maresca regards Bouaddi as the ideal, long-term replacement for Bernardo Silva, who has joined Real Madrid at the end of last season.
Bouaddi has made 88 appearances for Lille since making his debut in October 2023, three days after turning 16, and helped them finish third in Ligue One last season.
He also broke a record held by Eden Hazard, after making 50 Ligue One appearances for Lille at the age of just 18.
City are still keen to sign a direct replacement for holding midfielder Rodri, but talks with Chelsea about a deal for Enzo Fernandez have stalled.
pinaeikrst
0
fahf
NtakabirdZetB
0
85 for someone who achieved nothing until now..
what has Anderson of man city achieved??? nothing yet you never asked. watch football mate don't pick favorites
dizakoprsz
0
that's how city paid 116 for Anderson. 40 to 45 should have been okay. Arsenal will not pay such ridiculous amount for Anderson and bouaddi
How much for rice? Everyone is spending it’s not your money let them build the team.
Junior_Coke
3
finally, midfield better now.
Abokiman
0
wow, that's just too much
Mujeebgaming
1
85 for someone who achieved nothing until now..
yambcklrsu
0
that's how city paid 116 for Anderson. 40 to 45 should have been okay. Arsenal will not pay such ridiculous amount for Anderson and bouaddi
you can't compare city against arsenal in terms of money...
nepabilrz
0
that's how city paid 116 for Anderson. 40 to 45 should have been okay. Arsenal will not pay such ridiculous amount for Anderson and bouaddi
but you paid 100 for rice, over 75 for guimaraes, zubimendi, and eze.
resabekpst
1
that's how city paid 116 for Anderson. 40 to 45 should have been okay. Arsenal will not pay such ridiculous amount for Anderson and bouaddi
I agree mate, we only purchase players for a realistic price who can guarantee delivering for us.
resabekpst
2
City are paying £201ml to replace Rodri. Bouaadi isn’t ready for the EPL. He has got potential but he’s got lots to learn, and with young players they don’t always achieve your expectations of them. Too costly in my opinion.
jebbcioruz
1
that's how city paid 116 for Anderson. 40 to 45 should have been okay. Arsenal will not pay such ridiculous amount for Anderson and bouaddi
Yupabklort
3
city waste money for him and idiot Anderson
RachelTangi
1
I want to see him.
yoodlpuy
5
Baller Bouaddi. I am very excited about this deal 🤝 Building our City 🩵
Witiloprt
2
This is the best gk o f the year
boecdempuy
2
let him come first to prove is quality