Manchester City have agreed a deal worth almost £86million for Ayyoub Bouaddi, but their interest in Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez has not disappeared.
City have reached an agreement with Lille worth an initial €95m (£81.4m), with another €5m (£4.3m) potentially due in add-ons.
The Guardian reports that Bouaddi is now expected to undergo a medical before completing his move to the Etihad Stadium.
Despite that enormous investment, the same report says City continue to explore a possible deal for Fernandez before the transfer window closes.
🚨🔵⚪️ BREAKING: Ayyoub Bouaddi to Manchester City, here we go! Deal agreed club to club.
Fee to reach €100m package with add-ons, as @FabriceHawkins reports. Green light from Lille to the sale.
Bouaddi agreed terms with City in July and now set to join #MCFC project. pic.twitter.com/qcbMqphude
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 23, 2026
Man City agree Ayyoub Bouaddi deal
Bouaddi has been one of Manchester City’s leading midfield targets throughout August as they rebuild following Rodri’s departure to Barcelona.
The Guardian says an agreement has now been reached with Lille, with Bouaddi left out of the French club’s squad ahead of completing the transfer.
City’s commitment is significant.
They have already broken the British transfer record to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116m this summer, meaning the Bouaddi agreement takes their investment in those two midfielders alone beyond £200m.
Bouaddi’s arrival had appeared capable of reducing the chances of another huge midfield signing.
That does not appear to have completely ended City’s interest in Fernandez.
Enzo Fernandez remains on Man City radar
Fresh reporting says Manchester City are still exploring Fernandez despite reaching the Bouaddi agreement, although Chelsea’s valuation remains significantly higher than City are currently willing to pay.
That represents another development in a saga which has changed repeatedly throughout August.
ReadChelsea previously reported how Rodri’s £65m Barcelona move blew the £120m Enzo saga wide open, with City suddenly needing to reshape the centre of their midfield.
The possibility of another approach then strengthened when Fabrizio Romano revealed that Manchester City were expected to try again for Fernandez despite failing to meet Chelsea’s original deadline.
Sky Sports previously reported that Chelsea had placed a deadline on City’s pursuit, with the Blues holding firm over their valuation.
Chelsea remain in a powerful negotiating position.
Fernandez is contracted at Stamford Bridge until 2032 and Xabi Alonso has made clear he is happy to work with the Argentina international.
ReadChelsea has also analysed why keeping Fernandez could give Alonso something a £120m transfer fee cannot immediately replace, particularly as the Spaniard attempts to establish his midfield structure.
Bouaddi deal does not settle Enzo Fernandez future
Today’s development changes the financial picture without completely resolving Fernandez’s future.
City are committing another enormous fee to their midfield, which makes meeting Chelsea’s previous £120m valuation increasingly difficult to envisage.
However, the fact Fernandez reportedly remains under consideration after the Bouaddi agreement is important.
Sky Sports had already identified both Bouaddi and Fernandez among City’s midfield options, and the latest agreement has not completely closed the door on the Chelsea midfielder.
Chelsea therefore cannot completely dismiss the possibility of further City interest before the window shuts.
Fernandez is available for Monday’s Premier League opener against Fulham and remains involved in Alonso’s plans.
For now, Bouaddi is heading towards Manchester.
The Fernandez situation, however, is not quite finished.
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