Manchester City have completed the signing of 18-year-old Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille in a deal worth up to £85.6m, making him the Premier League's most expensive teenager. The fee includes £81.4m paid upfront and £4.2m in add-ons, with City securing the player on a five-year contract subject to international clearance. Bouaddi impressed during this summer's World Cup, starting five of Morocco's six matches in their quarter-final run. He becomes the latest addition to a revamped midfield following the departures of Rodri to Barcelona for £65m and Tijjani Reinders to Al-Qadsiah for £52m. "This is a very special day for me and my family. Manchester City are, for me, the best club in the world," said Bouaddi. "It's a dream to be here and be able to call myself a City player."

Bouaddi made 96 appearances for Lille since his 2023 debut, helping the club finish third in Ligue 1 last season. At 16, he became the youngest player to represent Lille in the Europa League, and later starred in their Champions League victory over Real Madrid in 2024. His arrival complements recent signing Elliot Anderson, acquired from Nottingham Forest for £116m, as City continue rebuilding under Enzo Maresca.

The Moroccan international functions as a deep-lying playmaker and is valued higher than Leny Yoro, whom Manchester United signed from Lille for £58.9m in 2024. City are also reportedly pursuing Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez, though a £120m valuation complicates negotiations. Bouaddi's signing follows Savinho's move to Tottenham for £75m and precedes potential exits including Nico Gonzalez to Newcastle for £52m.