Manchester City

Manchester City's director of football, Hugo Viana said: “Ayyoub’s potential is extremely high - a player equipped with everything a top midfielder needs.

“At just 18, he already has outstanding football intelligence and that will only improve under the guidance of [City manager] Enzo [Maresca].

“We have watched him very, very closely and throughout that process we have become increasingly convinced he is a huge talent who will thrive at City.

“We are really happy he has joined us and our job now is to ensure we provide him with everything he needs to fulfil his potential.”

The Morocco international has put pen to paper on a five-year contract at the Etihad.

Image source, Manchester City

Ayyoub Bouaddi is widely-regarded as one of the world's most exciting young players.

After making his senior Lille debut three days after he turned sixteen, the Moroccan midfielder established himself as a key player and made 96 appearances for the Ligue 1 side.

Aged 18, he has already made eight senior appearances for Morocco, and attracted the attention of the world with an outstanding midfield display against Brazil at this summer's World Cup.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City

French football journalist Djibril Diop added: "Bouaddi's trademark move is taking the ball on the half-turn and basically progressing with the ball and beating his man with a drop of the shoulder.

"You can give him the ball in tight spaces, and he will worm himself out of it.

"The reason City paid up for such a young player is because he has maturity beyond his years."

Manchester City

French football journalist Djibril Diop, speaking to BBC Radio Manchester:

"Ayyoub Bouaddi had one dazzling game against Brazil in the 2026 World Cup. After that, he faded a little bit.

"That's where I'm a bit cautious about how good he is right now. There's no doubt how good he will be in the future. Manchester City are paying for the potential. They are not paying for how good he is right now.

"His playing style would fit everywhere because he is a press-resistant midfielder. Once you have that durability, you can play anywhere and everywhere.

"He is suited to the Premier League, but he probably would be more suited to the Spanish league because of possession and how he operates in midfield.

"I still think he can make an impact at Manchester City, but I don't think he is going to make an immediate [impact] like people think."

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City

On joining Manchester City from Lille, Ayyoub Bouaddi said: "This is a very special day for me and my family.

"Manchester City are, for me, the best club in the world. It’s a dream to be here and be able to call myself a City player. I have spent most of my life working hard to become the best player I can be and reach the top of the game.

"I've watched City for many years, and I love their style of play. City always try and play quality football. And they have shown they are winners - this club feels like it's built to win.

"The squad is world-class and Enzo is a top manager. And I’m really looking forward to playing at the Etihad Stadium, in front of all the fans.

"I have plenty of improving to do. I am only 18. I am happy with the progress I have made so far, but I also know I can improve so much. This is undoubtedly the best place for me to do that.

"This club demands trophies and I will give everything to make sure we are challenging for every title."

Manchester City have completed the signing of Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi on a five-year contract, subject to international clearance.

The 18-year-old joins in deal worth 100m euros (£85.6m). This will be an initial fee of £81.4m, plus £4.2m in add-ons.

Will Enzo Fernandez be joining him?

Chelsea

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea broke the British transfer record when they paid £106.8m for Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez in January 2023.

At the time, Fernandez was contracted at Benfica, who insisted that the playmaker would not go for less than his six-figure release clause as clubs began to circle following impressive performances at the 2022 World Cup.

The Blues made the leap and signed the 22-year-old on an eight-and-a-half year contract.

But has Fernandez lived up to his price tag?

His impact at Stamford Bridge has grown, season on season. He made just six goal contributions in his first full season in London, but scored 10 goals and made four assists in what could be final season at Chelsea.

He has also increasingly assumed leadership responsibilities at the club and worn his share of the captain's armband.

Fernandez was named in the team of the tournament as Chelsea won the Club World Cup in 2025, and scored the first of the Blues' four goals as his side came from behind to beat Real Betis in the Conference League final.

Sami Mokbel and Nizaar Kinsella

It has been a turbulent period for Enzo Fernandez at Stamford Bridge, during which he and his agent, former Paris St-Germain midfielder Javier Pastore, courted interest from Real Madrid, only for the Spanish club to issue a statement denying any attempt to sign him.

The situation has been ongoing since Chelsea were knocked out of the Champions League by Paris St-Germain in March, after which Fernandez became increasingly critical of the club.

New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso spoke in July about a private conversation he had with Fernandez but declined to disclose details of the discussion.

For Chelsea, their previous record sale was Eden Hazard's move to Real Madrid in 2019, potentially worth about £150m if performance-related add-ons were triggered.

Image source, Getty Images

How do we feel about Enzo Fernandez possibly going to Manchester City?

Send us your views by clicking 'Get Involved'.

Sami Mokbel and Nizaar Kinsella

Enzo Fernandez maintains a positive relationship with new manager Enzo Maresca, who left Chelsea in controversial fashion on New Year's Day and moved to Etihad Stadium in June.

It could potentially be the second time Man City break their transfer record this summer, having paid £116m to recruit Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest in July.

There have also been major midfield departures, with City selling Tijani Reijnders to Saudi Arabian club Al-Quasiah for £52m, while Barcelona have signed World Cup-winning midfielder Rodri for £65m and Newcastle have agreed a £52m deal to sign Nico Gonzalez.

Earlier this summer, Bernardo Silva also left on a free to join Real Madrid.

Image source, Getty Images

Sami Mokbel and Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City are set to make an opening offer for priority midfield target Enzo Fernandez.

The Argentina international, 25, has been identified by manager Enzo Maresca as a player who can bring quality to his midfield after a series of high-profile exits.

Chelsea are aware of City's interest and set an unofficial deadline for the deal to be completed earlier this summer at a minimum fee of £120m.

More to follow.

According to CaughtOffside, Manchester United are considering making contact with Stuttgart over a potential move for 20-year-old German defender Finn Jeltsch.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport Chief Football News Reporter

Rob: What left-back do you think Man United will go for before the end of the window?

I don't think it is certain they will sign a left-back, Rob.

Manchester United do like Lewis Hall but Newcastle are not interested in selling and it feels as though that is one that could be revisited next summer.

United have been linked with a few alternatives but the key question is how much will it cost? Is there potential for a loan? Could someone in the senior squad leave to generate some finance?

Obviously Luke Shaw is first choice but United feel they have alternatives in Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui, who have also played on the left, while new arrival Carlos Baleba is left-footed and has played at left-back before for Brighton, even though he was bought at a midfielder.

Shamoon Hafez
Manchester City reporter

Mathew: Anyone else thinking Man City are having a fire sale? Lots of players out, not many in? Are they tightening their belt for a specific reason?

Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca made it quite clear during Friday's pre-match news conference that any player that is unhappy at the club is free to leave.

Maresca revealed that Savio had said "from day one" that that he wanted to move, while Omar Marmoush has been unhappy with the amount of gametime he has had since his move from Eintracht Frankfurt. He is too good a player to be playing second fiddle to Erling Haaland.

Tijjani Reijnders and Nico Gonzalez have both failed to nail down first-team places and the club stance has always been, if a bid comes in that matches the valuation of a player, they are free to go if they wish.

City bought Reijnders for £46.5m last summer and made a £6.5m profit on him, while they recouped most of what they paid for Gonzalez last January.

Elliot Anderson has already come in, a deal has been agreed for both Ayyoub Bouaddi and Allan Elias, while speculation around signing Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea has not gone away.

I'm expecting City and director of football Hugo Viana to do some deals before the end of the transfer window.