Man City Answer Enzo Maresca Plea With Record-Breaking ‘$117 Million Agreement’

Manchester City have adhered to the public transfer demands of head coach Enzo Maresca by closing in on a blockbuster deal for Ayyoub Bouaddi, according to multiple reports.

After watching Rodri leave for Barcelona earlier this month, City’s manager was quizzed on how he could possibly construct a functioning midfield in the absence of the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner. Maresca’s solution was simple: Buy his replacement.

“We try to find the new Rodri, it is what it is,” he shrugged.

“[Before] Rodri arrived here, he didn’t win the Ballon d’Or, he didn’t win the Champions League, he didn’t win the Club World Cup. He joined the club then he achieved many important things.”

As Maresca was keen to point out, City have a strong track record of replacing the seemingly irreplaceable with savvy signings. “I was thinking on Thursday night,” the Italian manager mused, “when David Silva was here, everyone was worried and Kevin [De Bruyne] arrived. When Sergio [Agüero] was here, everyone was worried [when he was going to leave] and Erling [Haaland] arrived. Fernandinho? Rodri arrived.

“When they leave, you need to be good in recruiting the next one. They are all similar, David, Kevin, Fernandinho, Rodri, Erling—there is one more—it is normal, it is change, it is not a problem, go again and try to do the right things.”

Bouaddi has now been tasked with adding to that glittering recruitment lineage.

The Staggering Numbers Behind Man City’s Proposed Deal for Bouaddi

Ayyoub Bouaddi impressed for Morocco at the World Cup. | Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

City’s interest in Bouaddi has been trailed even before he played a starring role for Morocco at this summer’s World Cup. However, those performances emboldened Lille to set a steep asking price for the 18-year-old gem which City initially appeared reluctant to meet. It’s unclear whether the convincing nature of the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal last weekend played a part, but Maresca has since been backed in the market.

As RMC Sport's Fabrice Hawkins was the first to report on Sunday, a matter of minutes before City’s Premier League opener against Bournemouth kicked off, a full agreement between both clubs had been reached. Bouaddi will cost a minimum of $111 million (£81.3 million, €95 million at the time of the agreement) with a further $5.8 million available in potential add-ons.

This sum not only represents the third most expensive arrival in City’s history, but breaks Lille’s club record for the costliest sale of all time.

City broke their own record with the $153 million arrival of Elliot Anderson earlier this summer but can afford such extravagant outlay after cashing in on Rodri, who cost Barcelona $87.8 million, and Tijjani Reijnders ($70 million to Al Qadsiah). Prior to the purchase of Bouaddi, City boasted the smallest net spend of any Premier League club this summer. The teenage defensive midfielder may not yet be their final acquisition.

Man City’s Transfer Window Nowhere Near Over

Enzo Fernández’s future is far from clear. | Adrian DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images

There is an expectation that City could yet be in the market for another midfielder. On top of Rodri and Reijnders, Bernardo Silva also moved on this summer. BBC Sport report that all hope in the pursuit of Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández has not been lost just yet, while Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace and even Liverpool leader Alexis Mac Allister have been floated as alternative targets.

If there is something nebulous about the potential for additional recruits, there are plenty more sales to be confirmed. Savinho’s staggering proposed move to Tottenham Hotspur is set to be followed by another Spurs bid for Omar Marmoush. Even Nico González, one of the club's few midfielders who actually played last season, is thought to have been given the green light for a summer exit to Newcastle United.

“I think it’s a similar situation for all the clubs, all the fans, because you are waiting to do things,” Maresca reasoned.

“Probably the normal thing in the transfer window is that you have to wait until the last week, because all the clubs try to keep players until the last week and then sell for more money. It’s normal. Again, when the transfer window closes and we have all the squad here for sure it will be different.”

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