Man City continue rebuild after completing £86m deal for Rodri replacement

Manchester City have bolstered their midfield by signing 18-year-old Moroccan international Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille for a staggering £85 million. The teenager, who has inked a five-year deal at the Etihad Stadium, is the club's second midfield acquisition this summer, following the £85 million signing of Elliot Anderson. City's midfield overhaul is already valued at over £200 million, with potential for a third signing and interest from Chelsea in Enzo Fernandez.

Moroccan star Bouaddi, a star performer at the 2022 World Cup, has been described by City's Director of Football, Enzo Maresca, as possessing "extremely high potential" and the ability to "get better still." At just 18, he already exhibits "outstanding football intelligence" that will only continue to develop under Maresca's guidance.

Bouaddi is set to replace Rodri and Bernardo Silva, both who have moved on to Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively. The Premier League champions could lose four midfielders this summer, with Tijjani Reijnders headed to Al Qadsiah for £51 million and Nico Gonzalez agreeing a £52 million fee with Newcastle United.

Bouaddi, who will wear the No 32 shirt at City, expressed his excitement and pride at joining the club, stating that "this is a very special day for me and my family." The young midfielder, who has closely followed City throughout his career, praised the team's world-class squad and the management style under Enzo Maresca, saying, "I think it was the right time because I was good in Lille, I felt very good, but I felt it was the right moment to step over and coming to City."