Manchester City close in on Ayyoub Bouaddi as Rodri heir

Manchester City are reported to have moved decisively in their search for a successor to Rodri, with Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi emerging as the leading candidate. According to reports, the Premier League club have reached a full verbal agreement with the player, while negotiations with Lille are ongoing.

City move early as Rodri exit looms

The backdrop to the deal is the expectation that Real Madrid are closing in on Rodri. If that transfer is completed, City would lose one of the defining midfielders of their recent era and the captain of Spain’s national team. The response, however, appears to have been swift.

Reports suggest City have already identified Bouaddi as the player they want to bring in next. Florian Plettenberg of Sky Sports Germany has stated that the 18-year-old has a full verbal agreement with Manchester City, with club-to-club talks still continuing. He also reported that other sides are monitoring the situation, but City are currently best placed.

Why Bouaddi has attracted attention

Bouaddi’s reputation has risen sharply in recent weeks. The Lille midfielder was described in the source material as one of the breakout players of the recent World Cup, where his display for Morocco against Brazil drew particular attention. Despite his age, he was noted for playing with authority and confidence, prompting immediate discussion about how long Lille would be able to keep him.

That rapid rise has also been reflected in the market. Media reports referenced in the source indicated that an offer of as much as 90 million euros could be required to secure his signing, underlining both Lille’s position and the scale of the interest around him.

From France youth ranks to Morocco spotlight

Bouaddi’s international story has added another layer to his emergence. Born in Senlis in France, he progressed through the French youth setup and began 2026 as a youth international for France. He was later called up by Morocco, and his performances on the global stage appear to have accelerated his profile significantly.

Sport.pl journalist Dariusz Wołowski wrote that Bouaddi had made the biggest impression among the tournament’s young players, a judgment that captures how quickly the midfielder has moved from promising talent to one of the most closely watched names in European football.

A long-term midfield plan at the Etihad

Any attempt to replace Rodri comes with obvious pressure. The Spaniard has been a central figure in Manchester City’s midfield for years, setting the standard in one of the most demanding roles in the team. Bouaddi is not being discussed as a like-for-like veteran replacement, but as a high-end talent capable of shaping the next phase of City’s midfield.

If the move is completed, City would be betting on one of the game’s most highly rated young midfielders to take on a major responsibility early in his career. On the evidence of the recent reports and the attention he has already commanded, Bouaddi is viewed as a player with the quality to justify that faith.