Manchester City announced the signing of teenage midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi on Wednesday morning, using the social media tagline 'the future doesn't wait its turn.' Only 18, Bouaddi perhaps should be waiting, but a combination of his performances at the 2026 World Cup for Morocco and a summer exodus in City's midfield mean that he's poised to take center stage at the Etihad this season. Asked by club media what his role would be at City, Bouaddi said it was 'for the future.' But on Sunday against Bournemouth, Enzo Maresca picked center back Marc Guéhi in midfield. That suggests that Bouaddi -- whose transfer cost an initial €95 million, plus €5 million in add-ons, to bring in from Ligue 1 side Lille -- may find himself in the team sooner rather than later.

As the Instagram caption made clear, the future is now, and he's expected to be part of the travelling squad for the trip to Crystal Palace on Friday. 'He's ready,' Maresca told a news conference on Thursday. 'He's been working with his former club so he's fit. We'll see how long he needs to adapt, but for sure he's ready to work.' City have been tracking him since he made his senior debut for Lille as a 16-year-old in 2023. His stock went up even further when he starred in a UEFA Champions League tie against Real Madrid on his 17th birthday.

Even after he produced a stunning display for Morocco against Brazil in New Jersey at the World Cup, City's conversations around Bouaddi weren't focused on whether they should sign him, but how long they should delay any potential arrival. There were discussions between director of football Hugo Viana and his recruitment team about how much competition they would face from the likes of Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain for Bouaddi's signature, and whether they could afford to pause and revisit their interest next summer. There were also conversations about negotiating a deal now, before loaning him back to Lille so he could continue his development in Ligue 1.

In the end, City decided they couldn't wait. Not only did they eventually agree to meet Lille's full valuation to ensure the deal got done, but Bouaddi will be part of Maresca's first-team squad this season. Depending on what happens between now and the transfer deadline, he could be a regular starter in the Premier League and Champions League.