Man City agree stunning £85million transfer for Ayyoub Bouaddi after Rodri and Reijnders exits

MANCHESTER CITY have reached an agreement for World Cup wonderkid Ayyoub Bouaddi. The 18-year-old midfielder impressed for Morocco during the international competition in the US earlier this summer. Manchester City have agreed a deal for Ayyoub Bouaddi Credit: Getty The 18-year-old stole the show for Morocco at the World Cup Credit: Getty The teenager, who made 30 appearances for Ligue 1 outfit Lille last season, was monitored by a number of Premier League clubs during the window. Mikel Arteta‘s Arsenal and Andoni Iraola‘s Liverpool were linked with approaches for the holding midfielder. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! But it appears that City have beaten their rivals to his signature, after agreeing a deal worth up to £85million. That includes a £81m up-front fee, with up to £4.3m in potential add-ons. Bouaddi is set to arrive on a five-year deal with the option to extend for a further year. The move comes after the departure of some key figures in the middle of the park at the Etihad. World Cup winner Rodri left earlier this week to join Barcelona in a £65million deal. And Tijjani Reijnders has joined the Spaniard in leaving the club, just a year after signing from Serie A giants AC Milan. Most read in Sport CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Bouaddi has big shoes to fill after the exits of Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders Credit: Reuters He is making the switch to Saudi side Al Qadsiah for a fee in the region of £50m. The star will be eligible to link up with his team-mates for their Friday clash away at Crystal Palace. He is no stranger to big occasions, starting against France in Morocco’s World Cup quarter-final in July. The 2008-born star featured in all but one of his nation’s matches at the tournament, and caught the eye of fans and pundits alike. Comment now