Manchester City has secured French midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, who will join the club shortly before turning 19. The transfer comes two weeks after star player Rodri’s departure to Barcelona, a deal valued at over $110 million plus additional fees. Bouaddi, who represented France at youth level, made his professional debut for Lille at age 16 and has since become a fixture in the French club’s lineup.
The teenager gained widespread attention following his performances at this summer’s World Cup, where he started in five of six matches for Morocco. Despite limited offensive production with just four assists across 96 appearances for Lille, Bouaddi has developed into a strong defensive contributor, averaging 2.5 tackles and 5.8 recoveries per 90 minutes last season. His growth under experienced teammate Benjamin Andre has been notable, particularly in his use of dribbling skills and tactical awareness.
City manager Enzo Maresca faces a significant midfield reconstruction, with both Rodri and Bernardo Silva departing. Bouaddi’s acquisition represents a long-term investment to replace elite talent. The young midfielder will initially be tasked with basic responsibilities: disrupting opposition counterattacks and protecting the defense, while developing his attacking capabilities over time. His rapid adaptation to Premier League football could prove crucial in determining Manchester City’s performance in both domestic and European competitions.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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