Manchester City are closing in on a deal to sign Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi after deciding he is the preferred replacement for Rodri, who is expected to leave the club for Barcelona.
The 18-year-old Morocco international has emerged as a leading target for City during the current summer transfer window, with the Premier League club aiming to strengthen their midfield ahead of the new season.
City’s interest in Bouaddi is closely linked to the anticipated departure of Rodri. Reports have indicated that an agreement has been reached for the Spain midfielder to join Barcelona, with only the official announcement still required.
Italian transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano said City are now preparing to complete the signing of Bouaddi from Lille after Rodri’s sale to Barcelona.
Writing on X, Romano said: “An agreement on personal terms was reached days ago, and the decision has already been made: Bouaddi will join the team now, not in 2027.”
The update suggests City have chosen to accelerate their plans for Bouaddi rather than wait until 2027 to bring him to the club. The midfielder’s immediate arrival would allow him to be part of the squad from the beginning of the upcoming campaign.
Bouaddi was one of the standout players in the Morocco squad at the 2026 World Cup. The Atlas Lions reached the quarter-finals of the tournament, further raising the teenager’s profile on the international stage.
Although Bouaddi is still only 18, his performances for Morocco and Lille have placed him among the most sought-after young midfielders in Europe. City have now identified him as the player they want to bring in as they prepare for the possible loss of Rodri.
The proposed deal could also represent a significant investment. Reports in recent days have suggested that signing Bouaddi may cost Manchester City more than €100m.
That figure would underline the importance City attach to the Lille player, with the club seemingly ready to pay a substantial fee for a midfielder they believe can step into a major role immediately.
Rodri’s move to Barcelona has not yet been formally announced, but reports that the transfer has been agreed have shaped City’s recruitment strategy. Bouaddi’s potential arrival would therefore be directly tied to the Spanish midfielder’s expected exit.
For now, the reported agreement concerns Bouaddi’s personal terms, while City continue preparations to finalise the transfer with Lille. The decision to sign him this summer, rather than postpone the move until 2027, reflects the club’s desire to secure his services for the new season.
