Full agreement, worth up to 100 million
The deal had been dragging on for weeks. It is now done. Manchester City and LOSC reached agreement on Sunday over the transfer of Ayyoub Bouaddi. The news was first reported by RMC Sport and confirmed by Foot Mercato.
The package can rise to 100 million euros with add-ons. The 18-year-old Morocco midfielder becomes the biggest sale in Ligue 1 history to a foreign league. For Lille, it is a club record, and by some distance.
Bouaddi was not in the Lille squad for Sunday’s trip to Angers at 15h. His exit was already settled before kick-off.
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What held it up, and why it gave way
The contract agreement between the player and City had been in place for several weeks. The only sticking point was the fee. The northern club stood firm and got the price it wanted.
A second issue had also caused problems for a long time: Lille wanted to keep Bouaddi for one more season on loan. Manchester City said no. The Sky Blues want him in straight away, starting this campaign.
The backdrop explains the hard line. Rodri has left for FC Barcelona, and City’s midfield needed rebuilding. Bouaddi had become the club’s top target for the role.
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A rapid rise
Bouaddi is only 18. He forced his way into Lille’s midfield with a maturity that caught plenty off guard, before breaking through with Morocco at the latest World Cup.
In fewer than two seasons, he has gone from academy prospect to the club’s most valuable asset. LOSC are now cashing in on that progress, in a summer when they have already completed the signing of goalkeeper Orlando Gill and turned down a Leipzig bid for Fernandez-Pardo.
All that is left is the announcement. It should not be far away.
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