Manchester City sign Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille for £85.6m

Manchester City have completed the signing of Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille, agreeing a five‑year contract and a fee reported at £85.6 million. The transaction will be recorded in the transfer market as one of the summer’s headline moves.

Under Premier League financial regulations, the transfer fee is typically amortised over the length of the player’s contract, meaning the £85.6 million outlay will be spread across five seasons for accounting purposes. This approach helps clubs stay within Financial Fair Play limits by smoothing the impact on annual profit‑and‑loss statements. Any future resale value will be booked against the remaining unamortised balance, potentially generating a profit if the player is sold for more than the residual book value.

A five‑year deal also gives the club flexibility to negotiate wage structures and performance clauses while retaining control over the player’s future. Should circumstances change, the contract could include a release clause or a loan provision, allowing the club to adjust the player’s situation without a full transfer.