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See the full story · 1 sourcesFrom Spain: Manchester City set Ayyoub Bouaddi transfer condition hinging on Rodri and Real Madrid
Man City are the best-placed club to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi, valued at £85 million, this summer.
According to reports in Spain, Bouaddi’s move relies heavily on Rodri’s future at the Etihad club.
Bouaddi starred at the 2026 FIFA World Cup before being knocked out by France in the last eight.
Manchester City are best placed to sign the highly-regarded youngster Ayyoub Bouaddi from LOSC Lille, with the outcome of a potential move relying heavily on Rodri’s future, as per reports in Spain.
The 18-year-old Morocco international caught eyes at the 2026 FIFA World Cup , where he played five of his nation’s six games, showcasing an ability to take on defenders and drop deep to cover channels.
Bouaddi played a large part in Morocco’s success before they were shown the door by France, with Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele scoring in a one-sided quarter-final affair.
Manchester City confident of £85M Ayyoub Bouaddi deal after breakthrough in Lille negotiations
The midfielder has been sought after by several clubs this summer, including Paris Saint-Germain , Arsenal , Barcelona , Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. However, Enzo Maresca ’s side appear most suitable to take the star, who is valued at £85 million, on board.
FIFA World Cup win has reeled Real Madrid back into Rodri deal
The aim of bringing Bouaddi to the Etihad Stadium , however, only seems to be possible if Rodri departs the club following the development of reports covering his supposed move to Real Madrid, according to ESPN Spain .
The La Liga club weren’t particularly struck by the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner following his injury struggles and subsequent lack of playing time in recent seasons towards the end of Pep Guardiola ’s decade-long tenure.
Additionally, Florentino Perez , Real’s president for the past 23 years, rejected the suggestion that his club wanted to sign Rodri just a matter of weeks ago when he was battling Enrique Riquelme in the presidential election.
But his stellar FIFA World Cup with Spain, where he captained Luis de la Fuente ’s side to glory following a 1-0 win over Argentina in New York , and won the FIFA World Cup Player of the Tournament award, has changed the picture.
A replica of Elliot Anderson, could Bouaddi replace Rodri?
Whether Bouaddi can replicate the impact that Rodri has had on City remains to be seen, yet there is a certainty that Bouaddi will fit into Maresca’s philosophy and playstyle, which generally operates in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3.
Rodri agrees personal terms with Real Madrid as Man City exit nears
Bouaddi is a central midfielder who utlises box-to-box football and plays in a very similar way to Elliot Anderson , City’s record £116 million signing from Nottingham Forest .
The Moroccan can advance into attacking areas but has a real discipline for defensive dominance, with his greater strengths shining throughout his ability to carry and recover the ball.
Rodri, due to undergo back surgery on a minor problem on Monday, is known to want a return to Spain, but, unbeknownst to many, Bouddi could be the answer to replace him.
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