Manchester City Open €100m Talks For Lille Teenager Bouaddi Amid Rodri Exit

Manchester City are in advanced negotiations with Lille over the signing of highly rated Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, with the French club valuing the 18-year-old at €100 million (£85.6 million), according to sources.

City are pushing to complete the deal this week following an agreement to sell Ballon d’Or winner Rodri to Barcelona for £65 million.

Rodri, 30, is expected to sign a four-year contract with the Catalan giants, bringing an end to his trophy-laden seven-year spell at the Etihad Stadium.

Bouaddi, who made his Lille debut three days after his 16th birthday in October 2023, has already made 88 senior appearances for the Ligue 1 club.

The teenager played a key role as Lille finished third in the French top flight last season and attracted widespread attention with an impressive display in the club’s Champions League victory over Real Madrid in 2024.

He has also established himself on the international stage, starting five of Morocco’s six matches during their run to the World Cup quarter-finals this summer.

A deep-lying midfielder, Bouaddi is viewed as a potential long-term addition to Pep Guardiola’s midfield and could complement summer signing Elliot Anderson, who can operate both as a box-to-box midfielder and in the number six position for England.

It remains unclear whether City’s pursuit of Bouaddi will affect their reported interest in Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez.

However, sources indicate that Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca remains keen on retaining the Argentina international as City continue to reshape their midfield following Rodri’s imminent departure.