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Manchester City have reportedly agreed a deal worth £86 million ($117 million) to sign Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from French club Lille.
The agreement, reported on Sunday, would see the 18-year-old move to the Etihad Stadium after several weeks of negotiations between the two clubs. Bouaddi is expected to travel to England for a medical before completing the transfer.
The midfielder has emerged as one of Europe’s most highly rated young players. He was also among Morocco’s standout performers at the recent World Cup, helping the North African side reach the quarter-finals before their campaign ended in a defeat to France.
City’s decision to pursue Bouaddi comes as manager Enzo Maresca reshapes his midfield following the departures of Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders. Rodri has joined Barcelona, while Reijnders has moved to Al-Qadsiah, leaving City needing to strengthen the centre of midfield.
Bouaddi is expected to join a revamped midfield that will also include England international Elliot Anderson, another recent addition to the squad.
Maresca has identified central midfield as a priority since taking over from Pep Guardiola at the end of last season. The manager is understood to want greater depth and youthful energy in the area as City seek to compete on multiple fronts.
City are also believed to retain an interest in Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez. However, Chelsea had reportedly set a deadline for offers for the Argentina international, who is valued at around £120 million. That deadline passed without an agreement, leaving Bouaddi as the latest major midfield target to move closer to joining the Premier League club.
If completed, the deal would make Bouaddi one of the most expensive teenage midfielders in football and underline City’s commitment to rebuilding their squad around a younger generation of players.
