Manchester City Secures Moroccan Midfielder Bouaddi for €100 Million

Premier League champions Manchester City have confirmed the acquisition of highly-rated Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from French club Lille. The transfer fee is reported to be €100 million (approximately £86 million), making Bouaddi the third most expensive player in the club's history.

The 18-year-old international arrives at the Etihad Stadium to bolster the midfield, filling the void left by the departures of key players such as Rodrigo Hernández to Barcelona, Tijjani Reijnders to the Saudi league, and Nico González to Newcastle United. Bouaddi's signing underscores City's strategy of investing in young talent with significant potential.

Bouaddi's impressive performances for Lille since his debut three years ago, including playing in five of Morocco's six World Cup matches, have earned him recognition. He holds the record for the most Ligue 1 appearances before the age of 18, showcasing his early development and readiness for top-tier competition.

With this significant investment, Manchester City's spending in the current summer transfer window now totals €280 million, matching their income from player sales. Despite Bouaddi's arrival, reports suggest the club is still actively seeking to strengthen its midfield further, with Chelsea's Enzo Fernández reportedly a target for a potential €140 million move.