Man City Sign 18-Year-Old Bouaddi for Record Fee as United Land Baleba
AM730 · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Manchester City have completed a blockbuster signing of 18-year-old Moroccan sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille for up to 100 million euros, with the player arriving immediately to undergo his medical examination . The deal, reportedly concluded just hours before City's opening Premier League victory against Bournemouth, includes approximately 95 million euros in base fee plus five million euros in conditional add-ons, with a contract running until summer 2031 . City have also agreed to Chelsea's 120-million-pound valuation for Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez . Across Manchester, United have wrapped up the signing of Brighton's Cameroon international Carlos Baleba on a five-year deal worth 65 million pounds plus five million pounds in add-ons . Tottenham have agreed an 85-million-pound fee with City for Brazilian winger Savinho, while also pursuing Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush on a loan-to-buy arrangement .
Key Points
- Bouaddi, just 18 years old, becomes City's marquee signing after Rodri departed for Barcelona and Bernardo Silva joined Real Madrid on a free transfer .
- City will pay Lille 95 million euros plus five million euros in add-ons for Bouaddi, who has signed a contract until 2031 .
- United beat off competition to sign Baleba from Brighton, with the 22-year-old Cameroonian signing a five-year contract with an option to extend to 2032 .
- City have also sanctioned Tottenham's move for Savinho at 85 million pounds, with the Brazilian winger set to depart the Etihad Stadium .
- Saudi clubs remain aggressive in the market, with Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli linked to Al-Hilal and Villa's Ollie Watkins also a target for the Riyadh-based club .
Why It Matters
The frenetic activity in the final days of the transfer window underscores the financial might of Premier League clubs, with combined spending on these deals alone exceeding 300 million pounds . For City, securing Bouaddi represents a long-term investment in their midfield future, while United's pursuit of Baleba signals their intent to address the defensive frailties exposed in their shock opening-day defeat to promoted Hull City .
The frenetic activity in the final days of the transfer window underscores the financial might of Premier League clubs, with combined spending on these deals alone exceeding 300 million pounds . For City, securing Bouaddi represents a long-term investment in their midfield future, while United's pursuit of Baleba signals their intent to address the defensive frailties exposed in their shock opening-day defeat to promoted Hull City .