Manchester City have signed 18-year-old Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from French club Lille for £85.6 million, according to the report. The deal makes Bouaddi the most expensive teenage footballer in Premier League history. City will pay Lille £81.4 million upfront, with a further £4.2 million due if performance-related conditions are met. He has agreed a five-year contract, which will take effect after international clearance.

Bouaddi played for Morocco through the World Cup quarter-finals, starting five of the team’s six matches. He had also been an important figure in Lille’s midfield before the tournament and drew attention with a strong performance in a 1-1 draw against Brazil. Since making his Lille first-team debut in 2023, he has played 96 matches and was a key member of the side that finished third in Ligue 1 last season.

City’s move breaks the previous Premier League teenage transfer record of £58.9 million, paid by Manchester United to Lille for French defender Leny Yoro in 2024. The club are rebuilding their midfield after selling Rodri to Barcelona for £65 million and Tijjani Reijnders to Al-Qadsiah for £52 million. City have also signed Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116 million.