Manchester City close in on Lille teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi in record transfer

Manchester City are on the verge of completing the signing of LOSC midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi after reaching a full agreement with the French club following several weeks of negotiations.

The 18-year-old Morocco international is expected to leave the French league and sign a five-year contract with the Premier League club. The transfer is yet to be formally announced, but Bouaddi is preparing to begin the next stage of his career in England.

Bouaddi was left out of the LOSC squad for Sunday’s trip to Angers, further indicating that his move to Manchester City is imminent. According to Fabrice Hawkins, the total fee is €100m, comprising €95m in guaranteed payments and a further €5m in potential bonuses.

The deal would represent the biggest sale in LOSC’s history. Bouaddi emerged through the club’s first team during the past two seasons and has now secured a move to one of Europe’s leading clubs, where he will face the challenge of adapting to the Premier League.

His contract with LOSC was due to run until 2029. The midfielder, who was born in Senlis, is currently valued at €80m by Transfermarkt. He has been earning an annual salary of €1,090,000 at Lille, equivalent to 708,500,000 CFA francs.

Bouaddi’s departure comes as LOSC prepare to play their opening match of the French league season against Angers. His absence from the travelling squad means he is unlikely to feature in that fixture as negotiations over the move reach their conclusion.

The transfer would cap a rapid rise for the Morocco international, who has established himself at LOSC over the last two campaigns despite his age. Manchester City’s agreement to pay up to €100m underlines the value placed on his development and potential.

For the meeting between LOSC and Angers, betting company 1xBet lists LOSC as the favourites at odds of 1.60. A draw is priced at 3.55, while an Angers victory is listed at 4.65.

The immediate focus remains on the formal completion of Bouaddi’s transfer. Once confirmed, the five-year agreement will take him from French football to Manchester City and make the deal the most lucrative sale ever made by LOSC.