Lille’s £86m teenage star Ayyoub Bouaddi heads to Man City

Ayyoub Bouaddi, 18, is heading from Lille to Manchester City after the clubs agreed a deal worth £86m in principle. The proposed transfer is valued at €100m, while Lille list the central midfielder’s market value at €80m.

Bouaddi’s rise has taken him from Creil Youth to Lille’s academy, where he progressed through the under-17 and under-19 teams before reaching the senior side. He made his Lille debut against KI in 2023, only days after turning 16, becoming the youngest player to represent the club at senior level.

His record continued to develop quickly. He helped Lille beat Real Madrid on his 17th birthday and later became the youngest player to reach 50 Ligue 1 appearances, surpassing a mark previously held by Eden Hazard. His performances at the World Cup brought wider attention as Morocco reached the quarter-finals for a second successive tournament.

Although Bouaddi played for France throughout the youth age groups, he chose Morocco at senior international level. His decision reflected his family background and an attachment to the country that was visible from childhood, including when he attended the 2018 World Cup wearing a Morocco shirt.

The midfielder’s displays against experienced opponents such as Casemiro, Lucas Paqueta and Bruno Guimaraes highlighted his composure and authority. He has been described as a box-to-box player with the ability to operate in deeper midfield, although his finishing remains an area for improvement.

Bouaddi’s development has also been shaped by an analytical approach away from football. He is studying for a mathematics degree and previously won an oratory competition after speaking at the Elysee Palace. Former coaches from Creil and Lille have recalled a player who regularly examined his performances and sought clear instructions when moving into older age groups.

That discipline helped establish a reputation that now extends beyond France. Bouaddi holds Moroccan and French citizenship, and Manchester City’s agreement in principle would take him into the Premier League after his emergence as one of Lille’s most notable young players.