Rabat – Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi has emerged as the most expensive player among a group of young summer signings who have recorded limited playing time in Europe’s major domestic leagues this season.
According to a study by Standard Football, reported by Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, the 10 most expensive young signings with the fewest league minutes have collectively played just 236 minutes since the start of the season.
The clubs involved have spent a combined €385.5 million on the players, all of whom are under 23 years old.
At the top of the list is Bouaddi, who joined Manchester City from Lille in a deal worth €95 million.
Bouaddi has played 22 Premier League minutes
The 18-year-old midfielder has made only 22 minutes of Premier League appearances for Manchester City so far this season.
Bouaddi’s limited league involvement comes despite the significant investment made by the English champions to secure his services.
The Moroccan youngster featured for City during the Carabao Cup against Norwich City earlier this month, but he has yet to establish himself as a regular option in the Premier League.
Bouaddi’s move to Manchester City has attracted considerable attention since the transfer, with the midfielder regarded as one of the young talents expected to develop further at the club.
His current place on the list, however, reflects only his involvement during the opening weeks of the 2026-2027 league campaign.
The Standard Football study also stresses that it is too early to make definitive judgments about these transfers, given how little of the season has been played.
Read also: Bouaddi Provides Assist in Manchester City’s 5-0 Win Over Norwich
€95 million deal leads the list
Bouaddi’s €95 million transfer fee is significantly higher than that of the other players included in the study.
Senegalese forward Ibrahim Mbaye ranks second in terms of transfer value after joining Aston Villa for €55 million. The 18-year-old has played 33 minutes in the Premier League.
Chelsea’s Portuguese youngster Geovany Quenda follows after his €50 million move. The 19-year-old has recorded 27 Premier League minutes under manager Xabi Alonso.
Newcastle United midfielder Aladji Bamba, a France Under-20 international, cost €35.5 million and has played 27 minutes in the league.
Manchester City’s Brazilian signing Allan, valued at €37.5 million in the study, has yet to make a Premier League appearance.
Other expensive young signings
Real Madrid’s Carlos Espi, 21, joined the Spanish club for €25 million and has played 21 minutes in La Liga. Despite his limited league involvement, he has already scored important goals for the Spanish side.
Coventry City paid €24.5 million for 19-year-old forward Sidiki Cherif, who has played 36 minutes in the Premier League.
Inter Milan agreed to a €23 million buy-back arrangement involving Aleksandar Stankovic, but the 21-year-old has played only 15 league minutes.
Strasbourg paid €20 million for German Under-21 defender Karim Coulibaly, who has recorded 27 minutes.
Belgian defender Nathan De Cat, 18, completes the list after joining Hoffenheim for €20 million and playing 30 minutes.
The figures point to the scale of investment European clubs are making in young talent. Clubs often accept limited immediate playing time when signing promising players, with the expectation that their sporting and financial value will increase over the following seasons.
