Man City in advanced talks for £85m Bouaddi and still want Fernandez as Rodri agrees £65m Barcelona move
City want to conclude a deal for the 18-year-old Lille midfielder this week after agreeing to sell Rodri. They have also not given up hope of signing Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea before the September 1 deadline.
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Manchester City are in advanced talks with Lille over a move for Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi and want to complete the deal this week.
The push follows the agreement to sell Rodri to Barcelona for £65 million. Lille value Bouaddi at €100 million (£85.6 million). If successful, it would be City's second major midfield signing of the summer after Elliot Anderson's £116 million arrival from Nottingham Forest.
City have also not given up hope of signing Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez, BBC Sport has been told. Chelsea expect Fernandez to stay for the rest of the season after their self-imposed deadline for bids passed, but well-placed sources say Maresca retains a strong interest. It will be one to watch before the September 1 deadline.
If City land both Bouaddi and Fernandez alongside Anderson, they would have completely rebuilt their midfield in a single window.
Who is Bouaddi?
The 18-year-old became the youngest player ever to appear for Lille when he made his debut three days after his 16th birthday in October 2023. He was serenaded by the Stade Pierre-Mauroy crowd after helping Lille beat Real Madrid in the Champions League on his 17th birthday. He then broke a record held by Eden Hazard by making 50 Ligue 1 appearances at just 18.
He has made 88 appearances for Lille in total and impressed at the World Cup, starting five of Morocco's six matches in their run to the quarter-finals. He functions as a deep-lying conductor and would complement Anderson, who is more comfortable as a box-to-box midfielder.
What about Rodri?
The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner is set to sign a four-year deal with Barcelona for £65 million. He made 298 appearances across seven trophy-laden seasons at City after joining from Atletico Madrid in 2019 for a then-club record £62.8 million.
The 30-year-old missed much of 2024-25 with a serious knee injury and parts of last season with a hamstring issue, but was back to his best at the World Cup, leading Spain to a second global title and being named player of the tournament.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is Ayyoub Bouaddi?
- Ayyoub Bouaddi is an 18-year-old Moroccan international midfielder currently playing for French side Lille, known for his deep-lying playmaker role.
- How much is Rodri being sold for?
- Spain international Rodri is reportedly joining Barcelona in a deal worth £65 million, signing a four-year contract.
- Are Manchester City signing Enzo Fernandez?
- City remain interested in the Chelsea midfielder, though reports suggest the London club expect him to stay after their internal deadline for bids passed.