Man City near £86m signing of 18‑year‑old Lille midfielder Bouaddi

Manchester City have reached a deal in principle to sign 18‑year‑old Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi for a reported €100 million (£86 million).

A deal in principle indicates that the two clubs have agreed on the main terms – the fee, the player’s age and the contract length – but the transfer will only be finalised once the player passes a medical, the appropriate paperwork is lodged with FIFA and the relevant transfer window is open. Until those conditions are met, the agreement remains subject to completion.

The €100 million fee will likely be spread over the length of Bouaddi’s contract through amortisation, allowing Manchester City to record a smaller annual expense in line with UEFA’s Financial Fair Play calculations. Clubs often structure payments with an initial instalment followed by further instalments or performance‑related add‑ons, which can affect cash‑flow and balance‑sheet reporting.

Because the player is under 23, City will also be entitled to a training compensation credit, which can offset part of the outlay. The transfer must be registered before the close of the summer window, after which the player becomes eligible to feature in official matches for his new club.