Casablanca – Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi is heading to Manchester to complete his highly anticipated move from Lille to Manchester City, with the transfer expected to become one of the most expensive deals ever involving a teenager.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Bouaddi is scheduled to travel to Manchester today as City and Lille finalize the remaining steps of the agreement.
The 18-year-old is expected to sign a five-year contract with an option for an additional season, while the transfer fee has been confirmed at €95 million plus €5 million in potential add-ons.
Bouaddi’s family had already visited Manchester City several weeks ago as preparations for the move gathered pace.
The agreement follows reports from The Guardian and The Times that City have reached a deal with Lille for the Moroccan international.
The Times reports that Bouaddi could become the most expensive teenage signing in Premier League history, surpassing Leny Yoro’s reported £59 million move from Lille to Manchester United.
The midfielder’s rapid rise has made him one of Europe’s most sought-after young talents. He made his Lille first-team debut in October 2023 at just 16 years and three days old, becoming the youngest player to appear in the UEFA Conference League.
His profile rose further during Morocco’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, where his maturity in midfield attracted significant attention from leading European clubs.
If completed, the transfer will represent a major investment in Manchester City’s midfield and another major moment in Bouaddi’s remarkable rise from Lille prospect to full Moroccan international.
