Man City news: Bouaddi & exits

Ayyoub Bouaddi completes his record-breaking £86million move from Lille
City could spend £322million on three midfielders if Fernández follows
Nico Gonzalez and Omar Marmoush are closing in on moves away

Ayyoub Bouaddi is officially a City player, but Enzo Maresca’s midfield rebuild may have further to run as another extraordinary day of transfer business draws to a close.

The 18-year-old’s move from Lille was confirmed on Wednesday, while Nico Gonzalez is heading towards Newcastle and Omar Marmoush is set for Tottenham.

Enzo Fernández remains the big incoming name to watch.

Elsewhere, Sávio has marked his Tottenham move with an interesting change and Manchester United great Bryan Robson has given City supporters something to debate.

Bouaddi completes record £86m move

The biggest confirmed news of the day came shortly after lunchtime.

City completed the signing of Bouaddi from Lille for £81.3m plus a possible £4.3m in add-ons.

The Morocco international has signed a five-year contract until 2031 and will wear the No.32 shirt.

At 18, Bouaddi becomes the most expensive teenage signing in Premier League history.

He arrives with 96 senior appearances for Lille behind him and eight caps for Morocco. Director of football Hugo Viana believes his potential is “extremely high”.

Could City’s midfield rebuild reach £322m?

Bouaddi’s arrival means City have now committed potentially £201.6m to two midfielders this summer.

Elliot Anderson arrived from Nottingham Forest for a club-record £116m before the deal for Bouaddi was completed.

Yet City still want Fernández.

Chelsea have previously valued the Argentina international at £120m and City are expected to make an offer before the transfer deadline.

Pay Chelsea’s full valuation and Anderson, Bouaddi and Fernández would have cost a combined £321.6m.

There is logic behind the numbers.

Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Tijjani Reijnders have left, while Gonzalez is now close to following them. Maresca is replacing most of a midfield rather than one player.

Anderson, Bouaddi and Fernández would also offer different qualities rather than simply providing three alternatives at number six.

Gonzalez set for Newcastle after £52m agreement

One midfielder who looks certain to leave is Gonzalez.

Newcastle have agreed a package worth up to £52m for the 24-year-old, with £48m guaranteed and another £4m available in add-ons.

Gonzalez has been given permission to undergo his medical.

The Spaniard only joined City from Porto in February 2025 for around £50m and had initially wanted to stay and fight for his place.

His departure would therefore bring a short Etihad career to an end while allowing City to recover most, and potentially all, of their original outlay.

Marmoush heading for Tottenham

Gonzalez is not the only player nearing the exit.

City have reached an agreement with Tottenham over Marmoush, who is set to move initially on loan with an obligation to buy.

Sky Sport Germany put the permanent fee at approximately €58m, with up to another €12m in bonuses.

The Egypt international is expected to sign a contract until 2030, with an option for another year, once the remaining formalities have been completed.

Savinho becomes Sávio again

There was also a lighter story following another move to Tottenham.

City supporters knew him as Savinho.

Spurs supporters will know him as Sávio.

The Brazilian used Sávio while at Girona before switching to Savinho following his first senior Brazil call-up. He kept the latter throughout his City career.

Tottenham have now unveiled their new No.17 under his previous name.

No official explanation has been given for the change back.

Robson claims City have weakened

Not everybody is convinced City’s rebuild has made them stronger.

Manchester United great Bryan Robson told talkSPORT that his former club are “not far off” their neighbours before offering a rather more provocative assessment.

“Man City have weakened their squad,” he said.

There is at least a debate to be had.

City have lost Rodri, Bernardo, Reijnders and Sávio, with Gonzalez and Marmoush also on their way out.

But they have spent up to £202m on Anderson and Bouaddi alone and further additions are expected.

Whether United are ready to take advantage of any drop-off is another question.

Five more transfer records could yet fall

The scale of City’s summer business was already apparent before Bouaddi’s arrival was confirmed.

City have broken their incoming transfer record with Anderson and their outgoing record through Sávio’s £75m move to Tottenham, which could eventually reach £85m.

Further deals could rewrite several other club benchmarks before Tuesday’s deadline.

The sums involved reflect just how extensively the squad is being changed during Maresca’s second summer in charge.

City’s final days are taking shape

The updated transfer tracker gives a clearer picture of what remains to be done.

Bouaddi is now in the confirmed column and Sávio among the departures.

Allan’s proposed move from Palmeiras has reached the club-agreement stage, while Fernández remains the major target in midfield.

At the other end, Gonzalez and Marmoush have deals agreed for moves away and Issa Kaboré is set to join Wrexham for £2m.

Cody Gakpo, Natan, Manu Koné and Malo Gusto are among the other names still linked with moves to the Etihad.

Keep across every arrival and departure: Man City 2026 summer transfer tracker: Every deal, live

City started Wednesday with Bouaddi still waiting to become their player.

They end it with the teenager signed, two more departures moving towards completion and the possibility of another enormous midfield deal still hanging over the final days of the window.

If City do make their move for Fernández, an already extraordinary summer could have one major deal left in it.