Manchester City have completed the blockbuster signing of Lille teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi in a deal that further underlines the scale of Enzo Maresca’s midfield revolution.
The Premier League champions have agreed a £85.6 million deal for the highly rated 18-year-old, who has signed a five-year contract that will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until 2031.
City will pay an initial £81.3m for Bouaddi, with a further £4.3m available in performance-related add-ons.
Rather than sending the teenager out on loan, City have decided to throw him straight into Maresca’s first-team plans.
Bouaddi will retain the No.32 shirt he wore at Lille as he begins the next chapter of a rapidly developing career.
The Morocco international has emerged as one of Europe’s most exciting young midfielders after making a huge impression in Ligue 1.
The teenager made it clear that City’s footballing identity played a major role in his decision to join the club.
“I’ve watched City for many years, and I love their style of play. City always try and play quality football,” said Bouaddi.
“And they have shown they are winners – this club feels like it’s built to win. The squad is world-class and Enzo is a top manager. And I’m really looking forward to playing at the Etihad Stadium, in front of all the fans.”
The move represents another major piece in Maresca’s attempt to construct a new-look Manchester City midfield.
Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Tijjani Reijnders and Nico Gonzalez have all departed during the summer, leaving significant gaps in the centre of the pitch.
City have already invested heavily in rebuilding that area, with Elliot Anderson arriving from Nottingham Forest in a deal worth £116m.
Bouaddi now becomes another major part of that transformation.
Bouaddi’s rise has been remarkably quick. He joined Lille at just 13 and made his senior debut at 16 years and three days, immediately marking himself out as a player with unusual maturity.
His performances subsequently attracted interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
The midfielder also represented France through Under-21 level before choosing to switch international allegiance to Morocco.
His World Cup performances further enhanced his reputation, with Bouaddi impressing for Morocco during the tournament, including in their 1-1 draw against Brazil. Now, however, his focus shifts to Manchester.
Bouaddi leaves Lille having worked under Davide Ancelotti, who handed him 45 minutes during a pre-season friendly against Everton earlier this month.
Ancelotti believes the teenager possesses qualities well beyond his years.
“Bouaddi is a very good player,” Ancelotti said. “What makes him so special? He has a huge personality.
“He is incredibly intelligent on and off the pitch, he is really mature. He is 18 years old but he looks like he is 32 when he is on the pitch.
“Technically he is really complete. He is also physical, really strong in duels. He’s going to be one of the best midfielders in Europe for the next 10 years.”
Those expectations now follow Bouaddi to the Etihad.
The £85.6m investment is not simply about signing another promising teenager. It is a clear indication of Manchester City’s determination to rebuild quickly following a summer of major midfield departures.
Maresca inherited a squad that has undergone significant change, and Bouaddi’s arrival gives him another technically gifted and versatile option.
The challenge will be turning extraordinary potential into immediate Premier League impact.
For Bouaddi, the opportunity is enormous. For City, the message is even bigger: the next generation is already being assembled at the Etihad.
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