Manchester City won their first Premier League game of the season, but it wasn’t convincing. – The Sky Blues were down until there were six minutes left of regulation time and scored the winning goal against Bournemouth 2 – 1 in injury time.
An era is over and without Pep Guardiola, Arsenal have an easier path to defend their Premier League trophy.
Jens Hjertø-Dahl has definitely chosen the right Premier League club!
Manchester City have struck with a gigantic transfer. 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille becomes a City player – for a sum that makes the football world gasp. Now the “genius” will replace none other than Rodri.
Dream sum for teenage star
The city’s blue half has struck a deal worth €100 million with Lille to secure the signature of Moroccan super talent Ayyoub Bouaddi.
The fixed sum is 95 million euros, plus 5 million in bonus. Thus, the 18-year-old becomes one of the most expensive teenagers in football history – and City’s new midfield general.
From World Cup hero to Premier League
Bouaddi really became known to the world during the 2026 World Cup, where he was one of Morocco’s most important pieces on the way to the quarter-finals. The Africans were eliminated against France, but Bouaddi’s performance left a lasting mark.
Last season, he was also a mainstay for Lille, who finished third in Ligue 1 – with an 18-year-old directing the game from midfield.
“A genius, not far away”
The renowned journalist Julien Laurens was in no doubt during the championship:
“Lille quickly realized that they had a pearl in their hands. Two years ago, they faced Real Madrid on his birthday. He turned 17 that day, and Lille won 1-0. He was the best on the pitch – against the best team in the world,” Laurens said.
“I got the same feeling as when I saw Eduardo Camavinga as a 16-year-old in charge of the midfield against PSG. Bouaddi is not far from a genius, he added.
Brazil’s national team manager Carlo Ancelotti has also spoken about the teenager during the tournament:
“He is one of the best young players in the world,” said the Italian.
Rodri away – Bouaddi in
The transfer does not come without reason. Last week, Rodri left City for Barcelona. The loss of the defending Ballon d’Or winner leaves a huge void – and Enzo Maresca immediately wanted reinforcements.
Bouaddi has been brought in as a long-term replacement, but given his stats, he could be more than just one for the future:
| Rodri (30 years) | Statistics (per 90 min) | Bouaddi (18 years) |
|---|---|---|
| 33 | Matches 25/26 | 42 |
| 86,7 | Completed Passes | 34,2 |
| 2,5 | Tackles | 2,4 |
| 7,1 | Duels won | 5,6 |
The numbers show that Bouaddi is already competitive – despite being 12 years younger.
Moves immediately – left out of Lille’s squad
Bouaddi was not in Lille’s squad for today’s league game against Angers – a clear sign that the transfer is in the box. Now a new everyday life awaits at Etihad, with demands for immediate action.
The question is no longer whether he is good enough – but how quickly he can replace one of the best midfielders of all time.
Kristoffer Ajer brings his success from the World Cup into the Premier League!
Ayyoub Bouaddi will be presented in a few days, but before that a trip to the doctor.
