Manchester City Completes €100m Signing of Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille

Manchester City has reached an agreement with Lille worth €95 million (£81.4 million), with potential add-ons of €5 million for the transfer of Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. This signing brings Manchester City's total summer spending to nearly £200 million following their earlier acquisition of Elliot Anderson for £116 million. Bouaddi, 18 years old, was withdrawn from Lille's Ligue 1 match against Angers on Sunday to undergo a medical examination with Manchester City prior to finalizing the deal.

Bouaddi's transfer is significant, as it positions him as the most expensive player ever sold from Ligue 1 to a foreign club. This record-breaking move has been highlighted in various reports, including those from L'Équipe and BBC Sport, which confirm the financial details of the transaction.

The reports indicate that Bouaddi has signed a five-year contract with Manchester City, solidifying his future at the club amidst growing expectations following his standout performances during the recent World Cup, where he helped Morocco reach the quarter-finals.

Sources from The Guardian noted that this transfer reflects Manchester City’s aggressive spending strategy during the summer transfer window, designed to enhance their squad depth and competitiveness in both domestic and European competitions.

Lille's management has expressed their alignment with Manchester City on the transfer, emphasizing their confidence in Bouaddi's potential. The teenager has quickly ascended to prominence within the sport, sparking significant interest from top clubs across Europe.

As the dust settles on this high-profile transfer, attention will now turn to how Bouaddi will adapt to the Premier League and what role he is expected to play within Manchester City's setup moving forward.