Manchester City has reportedly reached a full verbal agreement with Ayyoub Bouaddi as its pursuit of the Lille midfielder enters a more advanced stage. The development follows Bouaddi’s breakout performance against Brazil and a World Cup run that strengthened his place among Europe’s most closely watched young midfielders.
Florian Plettenberg reported that Bouaddi has verbally agreed to the proposed move, while negotiations between City and Lille remain ongoing. That distinction matters. A player-side agreement can cover personal terms and willingness to join, but it doesn’t mean the clubs have settled a fee or completed the transfer.
There’s still no primary confirmation of a club-to-club agreement, medical examination, signed Manchester City contract, registration or official announcement. Lille also featured Bouaddi in its preseason coverage on Monday, confirming that he remains part of the French club’s working squad while talks continue.
Lille reportedly wants approximately €100 million, around $115 million at the European Central Bank’s August 3 reference rate, for an immediate sale. Other proposed structures have included a lower price if Bouaddi remains with Lille for another season, but no accepted amount or loan-back arrangement has been established.
What Manchester City still has to settle with Lille
City’s interest predates the reported personal agreement. David Ornstein reported in July that the club was pushing hard to sign Bouaddi and preferred to integrate him immediately rather than leave him in France. Fabrizio Romano later said negotiations were accelerating, while stopping short of reporting a completed agreement between the clubs.
Bouaddi’s contract gives Lille leverage. The 18-year-old extended his agreement through June 2029 in December, and Lille says he made 42 appearances in all competitions during the 2025/26 season, including 37 starts. His senior experience already includes Ligue 1, the Champions League and the Europa League.
The midfielder first drew wider European attention when he started Lille’s 1-0 Champions League win over Real Madrid on his 17th birthday. His game has since developed around calm possession, positional discipline and the ability to operate either at the base of midfield or as a mobile No. 8. Those qualities also became visible with Morocco, which received FIFA approval for his switch from France before the World Cup.
City reportedly views Bouaddi as a long-term midfield investment rather than a player tied to one immediate role. His place among the World Cup’s next generation rests less on highlights than on how comfortably he receives under pressure, protects central spaces and moves possession through crowded areas.
His possible arrival has also been connected in reporting to Real Madrid’s reported pursuit of Rodri, but City’s interest in Bouaddi shouldn’t be treated as proof that Rodri will leave. No primary source has established that one transfer depends on the other.
For now, the clearest description is also the narrowest. Bouaddi has reportedly given Manchester City his verbal agreement, but he remains a Lille player. Until the clubs settle their negotiations and issue confirmation, the medical, signing, registration and transfer itself remain unresolved.
