Manchester City pay a huge fee of €100 million for Rodri successor | Goal.com
Manchester City have found Rodri's successor after his move to FC Barcelona. The English giants have reached a full agreement with Lille OSC for Ayyoub Bouaddi in a deal worth up to €100 million including bonuses. It consists of a fixed fee of €95 million plus €5 million in variables.
Fabrice Hawkins of RMC Sport broke the news and reports that both clubs are now in full agreement over the transfer. Bouaddi will not feature for Lille against Angers because of his imminent move.
Fabrizio Romano has also confirmed the deal is fully done and delivered his familiar 'here we go'. According to the transfer expert, Lille have given the green light for the sale and the total package could rise to €100 million through bonuses.
Bouaddi had already agreed terms with Manchester City some time ago. The 18-year-old midfielder reached an agreement on his personal terms in July.
City needed a new key figure in midfield this summer after Rodri left for Barcelona. According to Spanish media, the Catalan club paid around €76.5 million including bonuses for the 30-year-old Spaniard, who had become one of the defining players in Manchester since 2019.
During his time at City, Rodri made almost 300 appearances and won, among other honours, four league titles and the Champions League. In 2024, he also won the Ballon d'Or.
Manchester City's interest in Bouaddi had been building for some time. At the end of July, reports claimed talks with Lille had moved into the next phase and that a transfer fee of €70 million to €80 million was under discussion, while Arsenal and Manchester United had also previously been in contact with his entourage.
Under contract at Lille until mid-2029, Bouaddi established himself as a regular last season. The Morocco international, who made a big impression at the last World Cup, made 42 appearances in total for the French club and will go down as the most expensive sale in Lille's history.
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