Manchester City are stepping up their plans to reshape their midfield during the summer transfer window, with the club in advanced talks over an £85.6 million move for Lille teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi while still retaining a strong interest in Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez.

The Premier League side are looking to move quickly following their agreement to sell Rodri to Barcelona for around £65 million. Rodri’s departure would leave a significant void in Manchester City’s midfield, but Ayyoub Bouaddi has emerged as one of the leading candidates to help fill it.

Lille reportedly value the 18-year-old Morocco international at €100 million, approximately £85.6 million, as Manchester City attempt to conclude a deal this week. However, the pursuit of Bouaddi may not be the end of the club’s transfer business, with Enzo Maresca’s side also continuing to monitor Fernandez before the September 1 deadline.

Ayyoub Bouaddi emerges as Manchester City’s Rodri replacement

The potential departure of Rodri has accelerated Manchester City’s search for midfield reinforcements, and Ayyoub Bouaddi appears to fit the profile the club are looking for.

At just 18, Bouaddi has already accumulated considerable senior experience with Lille. He has made 88 appearances for the French club since making his first-team debut in October 2023, only days after celebrating his 16th birthday.

The teenager helped Lille finish third in Ligue 1 last season and has continued to build his reputation as one of Europe’s most promising young midfielders. His ability to operate as a deep-lying conductor makes him a particularly interesting option for Manchester City following Rodri’s expected move to Barcelona.

Ayyoub Bouaddi would not simply arrive as an inexperienced prospect waiting for an opportunity. Despite his age, he has already demonstrated an ability to perform on major stages, including in the Champions League and at international level.

His development has been characterised by a willingness to step up whenever the level of competition has increased, something that has made him an increasingly attractive target during the summer transfer window.

Ayyoub Bouaddi’s remarkable rise at Lille

Ayyoub Bouaddi’s progress through senior football has been remarkably rapid. He became Lille’s youngest-ever player when he made his senior debut against KI in 2023, shortly after turning 16.

His profile grew further when he played a starring role as Lille defeated Real Madrid in the Champions League on his 17th birthday. The occasion underlined his composure, as Bouaddi continued to show that his age was no barrier to competing against some of the biggest names in European football.

He also broke a record previously held by Eden Hazard when he reached 50 Ligue 1 appearances for Lille at the age of 18.

That growing experience was evident again at this summer’s World Cup. Ayyoub Bouaddi started five of Morocco’s six matches as the African side reached the quarter-finals, gaining further exposure against elite opposition.

His performances at the tournament added to the belief that he is capable of handling a significant step in his career. For Manchester City, that could make the £85 million valuation easier to understand, even if the proposed fee would represent a huge investment in a player still in his teens.

Manchester City still want Enzo Fernandez

The pursuit of Ayyoub Bouaddi is taking place alongside Manchester City’s continued interest in Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez.

City have not abandoned hopes of signing the Argentina international, despite Chelsea expecting Fernandez to remain at Stamford Bridge for the rest of the season after their self-imposed deadline for offers passed.

Manchester City did not submit a bid before that deadline, but sources maintain that Maresca remains strongly interested in the 25-year-old.

The situation could therefore remain one of the major stories of the closing stages of the summer transfer window. Chelsea had placed a £120 million valuation on Fernandez, meaning any agreement would require a substantial financial commitment from City.

If Manchester City were somehow able to secure both Ayyoub Bouaddi and Fernandez, they would complete a dramatic overhaul of their midfield following the earlier arrival of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest.

The three additions would give Maresca a collection of midfielders with contrasting strengths, potentially offering greater flexibility as he builds his team for the new campaign.

How Bouaddi could fit alongside Elliot Anderson

Ayyoub Bouaddi’s profile differs from that of Anderson, who is capable of operating as a box-to-box midfielder while also playing as a number six for England.

Bouaddi is more naturally suited to the role of a deep-lying conductor, where his ability to control possession and influence the tempo of a game could become particularly valuable.

That could make the pair complementary rather than competing directly for the same position. Manchester City could potentially use Anderson’s energy and mobility alongside Bouaddi’s composure and distribution from deeper areas.

Fernandez would add another dimension entirely. The Chelsea midfielder has experience of playing in several roles and could provide further tactical flexibility if Manchester City revive their pursuit successfully.

Such a combination would represent a major transformation, particularly with Rodri set to leave after seven hugely successful years at the Etihad Stadium.

Rodri’s departure creates a huge challenge

Replacing Rodri will not be straightforward for Manchester City. The Spain captain made 298 appearances during his trophy-laden spell with the club after arriving from Atletico Madrid in 2019 for a then-club-record £62.8 million.

The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner won 12 major honours with City, including four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, three EFL Cups and the Champions League.

Although injuries disrupted his recent seasons, including a serious knee injury in 2024-25 and hamstring problems last season, Rodri returned to his best form at the World Cup. He captained Spain to their second world title and was named player of the tournament.

His expected £65 million move to Barcelona therefore leaves Manchester City facing the difficult task of replacing one of the most influential players of their recent era.

Ayyoub Bouaddi may be only 18, but his rapid development and growing experience have made him one of the most intriguing names on City’s shortlist.

A decisive week for Ayyoub Bouaddi and Manchester City

Manchester City want to conclude the Bouaddi transfer this week, and the coming days could determine whether one of European football’s most promising midfielders makes a blockbuster move to the Premier League.

Lille’s €100 million valuation means negotiations will be significant, while the continued interest in Fernandez ensures Manchester City’s summer transfer window remains far from settled.

For now, Ayyoub Bouaddi is firmly at the centre of City’s plans. From becoming Lille’s youngest-ever player at 16 to shining against Real Madrid and starting five matches at a World Cup before turning 19, his rise has been extraordinary.

A move worth £85 million would be another enormous step. With Rodri heading for Barcelona and Manchester City still watching Fernandez closely, the race to rebuild one of the Premier League’s most important midfields could be about to enter its decisive phase.