LILLE, France — 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 $117 million on a five-year contract.
Bouaddi impressed at the World Cup for Morocco with his assured touch, tactical understanding and maturity. City is looking for a long-term replacement for former Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, who recently joined Barcelona after helping Spain win the World Cup.
Lille and City, which was hosting Bournemouth in the Premier League, had not yet commented on the move.
Bouaddi caught the eye two years ago when he was already being touted as Lille’s best midfielder since Eden Hazard, who left Lille to become a Premier League star with Chelsea.
Bouaddi joined Lille’s academy in 2021 and, just three days after his 16th birthday, became the youngest player to appear in a European game in a Europa Conference League match last October against KI Klaksvík.
Big sales
Lille sold Ivory Coast forward Nicolas Pépé to Arsenal in 2019 for 80 million euros.
Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen went to Napoli the following year for a similar amount.
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