Manchester City Secure Bouaddi as Rodri Replacement in £60m Transfer
Manchester City have already found their Rodri replacement as a £60m transfer beckons. Reports indicate that last season's Premier League runners-up have identified Lille youngster Ayyoub Bouaddi as the Spaniard's long-term successor at the Etihad Stadium.
What happened?
With Rodri nearing a return to LaLiga with Barcelona, Manchester City's recruitment team have moved swiftly to ensure their engine room suffers no lasting void. According to reports from The Athletic and French publication L'Equipe, City have begun discussions to secure Bouaddi's signature.
Why it matters for Manchester City
At just 18 years old, Bouaddi has established himself as one of the more complete deep-lying playmakers in European football. Having broken into Lille's senior setup at the age of 16, the Moroccan international has drawn positive reviews for his press-resistance and passing range from the base of midfield.
What comes next?
His standout performances in Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League have led Manchester City to position themselves at the front of the queue. Man City's recruitment structure are said to view Bouaddi as a talented potential successor to Rodri. Replacing a Ballon d'Or and World Cup winner like Rodri is no easy task, but City's proactive manoeuvre suggests they're in a position to bring a similar calibre of player to the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City are currently 7 points behind leaders Arsenal in the title race, with a recent form of 1W-2D-2L (LDWWD, most recent first). They have scored 77 goals this season, conceding 35 and boasting a +42 goal difference. Their last result was a 1-2 loss to Aston Villa on 2026-05-24, and they face Coventry at home on 2026-09-05.
