City hope to complete the signing of Ayyoub Bouaddi by this weekend. TEAMtalk say talks with Lille are progressing far more smoothly than City’s negotiations with Barcelona over Rodri.
City had already agreed personal terms with Bouaddi, and discussions between the two clubs are now close to completion.
Lille are set to receive around £85m in guaranteed money, with add-ons pushing the deal higher.
At 18, Bouaddi would become by far the most expensive teenager in football history, comfortably beating the £45m Real Madrid paid for Endrick in 2025.
Lille had pushed for Bouaddi to stay in France for another season, with a possible loan back next summer, but City have told him he’s wanted immediately.
There’s even a chance he could be involved in this weekend’s Community Shield against Arsenal in Cardiff, though City aren’t banking on it.
The move is part of a wider midfield rebuild that’s already seen Elliot Anderson arrive, with City preparing for Rodri’s eventual exit. That situation remains messier.
City don’t even consider talks with Barcelona over Rodri active after what they saw as a derisory opening offer, understood to be around £40m against City’s £68.5m.
Bouaddi made his mark for Morocco at the World Cup and has been chased by Arsenal, Liverpool, Real Madrid and PSG this summer. City appear to have won that race.
