Rodri is defined as a defensive midfielder, but when you see the “heat map” with the Spaniard’s movements during a match, you realize the world champion has absolutely the entire pitch as his field of work – and is where the ball is, or comes. For Manchester City, a player that is almost impossible to replace, but the Premier League club is willing to bet a record high on an 18-year-old to fill this role.
According to Teamtalk’s sources , Manchester City hope and expect to complete the signing of Ayyoub Bouaddi by this weekend. Barcelona and Real Madrid are chasing Rodri, City have turned to the Moroccan international at Lille.
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Lille are expected to receive around £85 million in guaranteed money, with additional bonuses and add-ons increasing their overall value. The deal will make Bouaddi, who is only 18 years old, by far the most expensive under 19-year-old in football history. He shatters the previous record set by Real Madrid for Endrick, which cost just over £45 million in 2025.
Lille had worked hard to convince Bouaddi to stay in France for another season, potentially allowing him to join his new club on loan next summer, but City have made it clear to the Moroccan sensation that he is wanted immediately – as a first-team player.
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