"The Deal Isn't Far Off": Lille Close to €100M Bouaddi Agreement with Man City
Young Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi is close to joining Manchester City for a fee of around €100 million, which would make him the biggest sale in the French club's history, pending a medical and a few remaining details.
Ayyoub Bouaddi, the young Lille midfielder, is closing in on a move to Manchester City, in what could become the biggest sale in the French club's history.
A deal worth around €100 million
According to reports, an agreement between the two clubs was reached on the evening of Sunday, 23 August 2026, for a fee of around €100 million, on the basis of a five-year contract with an option for an additional season. Should the transfer go through at that level, it would surpass the previous record for the biggest sale of a Ligue 1 player to a foreign club.
Lille's sporting coordinator Sylvain Armand confirmed that "a few details still need to be settled, but the deal isn't far off," with the player's medical expected on the Monday.
A standout season capped by a strong World Cup
Born in northern France, Bouaddi (18) chose to represent Morocco internationally in spring 2026. He particularly stood out at the 2026 World Cup, notably against Brazil, following an impressive season with Lille. He was left out of Lille's squad for their Ligue 1 season opener against Angers, which he watched from the stands alongside club president Olivier Létang while negotiations continued.
Key takeaways
- The transfer is not yet official: the medical and a few remaining details still need to be finalized.
- The reported fee is around €100 million, for a five-year contract plus an option.
- If confirmed, it would become the biggest sale in LOSC's history.
