{
  "id": 2797777,
  "title": "Midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi left out of Lille squad amid a reported big-money move to Manchester City",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/midfielder-ayyoub-bouaddi-left-out-of-lille-squad-amid-a-reported-big",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-23T13:46:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/midfielder-ayyoub-bouaddi-left-lille-134647303.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Lille's highly-rated midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi was notably absent from the team's opening match of the season against Angers, following reports of a potential big-money transfer to Premier League champion Manchester City. The 18-year-old Moroccan player, who showcased his talent at the World Cup, is reportedly set to join City for a substantial 100 million euros ($117 million) on a five-year contract. Bouaddi's impressive skills include a solid touch, tactical understanding, and maturity, making him a prime candidate to replace Rodri, who recently moved to Barcelona after Spain's World Cup victory.\n\nBefore joining Lille's academy in 2021, Bouaddi had already been heralded as the club's most promising midfielder since Eden Hazard, who left for Chelsea. At just 16, he became the youngest player to feature in a European match, making it to the Europa Conference League against KI Klaksvík. The trio of big money transfers from Lille includes Ivory Coast forward Nicolas Pépé, who moved to Arsenal for 80 million euros in 2019, and Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen, who journeyed to Napoli for a similar sum the following year.",
  "summary": "Highly-rated midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi was left out Lille's squad for its opening game of the season at Angers on Sunday amid reports of an imminent big-money move to Premier League giant Manchester City. The website of sports daily L’Equipe and RMC radio said that the 18-year-old Bouaddi was set to join City for 100 million euros ($117 million) on a five-year contract. City is looking for a…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Fabrizio Romano confirms Liverpool talks for phenomenal £55m Real Madrid star",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/fabrizio-romano-confirms-liverpool-talks-for-phenomenal-55m-real",
        "published": "2026-08-22T18:35:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi left out of Lille squad amid a reported big-money move to Manchester City",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/midfielder-ayyoub-bouaddi-left-out-of-lille-squad-amid-a-reported-big-2800305",
        "published": "2026-08-23T13:47:27.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}