Rabat – Moroccan international Ayyoub Bouaddi is on the verge of making European football history, with his expected move from Lille to Manchester City set to place him among the most expensive transfers ever involving a player leaving the French top flight.
Bouaddi is expected to join Manchester City in a deal worth up to €100 million ($108 million), including bonuses, according to reports. The transfer would make the young midfielder the most expensive player to leave Ligue 1 for a foreign league, surpassing several major names who previously held the record.
The move would also see Bouaddi break Lille’s club transfer record. The previous record belonged to Ivorian winger Nicolas Pepe, who joined Arsenal from Lille in 2019 for around €80 million.
Bouaddi moves ahead of Neymar
Perhaps the biggest name Bouaddi is set to surpass is Brazilian superstar Neymar.
Neymar moved from Paris Saint-Germain to Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal in 2023 for a reported €90 million, making him one of the most expensive players ever to leave Ligue 1.
Bouaddi’s €100 million transfer will therefore move him above Neymar and place the Moroccan at the top of the ranking.
The record is particularly significant given Bouaddi’s age. The midfielder has emerged from Lille’s academy as one of Europe’s most highly rated young talents and has quickly attracted interest from some of the continent’s biggest clubs.
His move to Manchester City would represent a major step in his career and another milestone in the growing presence of Moroccan footballers at Europe’s elite clubs.
A record-breaking Lille departure
Bouaddi’s transfer would also mark the end of an important chapter at Lille.
The midfielder came through the club’s academy and developed into a first-team player despite his young age. His performances eventually attracted the attention of Manchester City, who are prepared to invest heavily in his potential.
The €100 million figure would comfortably eclipse Pepe’s previous Lille record of €80 million.
Bouaddi’s departure would therefore represent both a financial landmark for Lille and a major recognition of the club’s ability to develop elite young talent.
An emotional farewell
Bouaddi’s departure has already produced emotional scenes in Lille.
Although he did not feature in his former team’s match, the Moroccan watched from the stands alongside Lille president Olivier Létang. After the final whistle, he was permitted to go onto the pitch and say goodbye to the supporters.
Lille fans responded by chanting his name for several minutes, paying tribute to a player who had progressed through the club’s academy and become an important part of its future.
Former France international Olivier Giroud was also among those who took the time to bid farewell to Bouaddi, praising the midfielder’s maturity despite his young age.
Another achievement for Moroccan football
Bouaddi’s transfer would be more than just another major European deal involving a Moroccan player.
At €100 million, the move would place him among the most expensive players in football history and make him the highest-valued player ever to leave Ligue 1 for a foreign league, overtaking Neymar in the process.
His arrival at Manchester City would also put the young Moroccan in one of Europe’s most competitive environments, where he will have the opportunity to work under one of the world’s leading coaches and compete at the highest level.
