Man City in advanced talks for £85m Bouaddi, 18

Manchester City are in advanced negotiations to sign 18‑year‑old Bouaddi for a reported £85 million, according to sources. Spain captain Rodri is expected to agree a £65 million transfer to Barcelona, with a four‑year contract anticipated to be finalised in the coming days. The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner has made 298 appearances over seven trophy‑laden seasons at City after joining from Atlético Madrid in 2019 for a club‑record £62.8 million. The 30‑year‑old missed much of the 2024‑25 campaign after sustaining a serious knee injury, and his previous season was also interrupted by a hamstring problem. Nevertheless, he returned to peak form at the summer World Cup, captaining Spain to their second world title and earning the tournament’s player‑of‑the‑honour award. It remains uncertain whether a successful move for Bouaddi would influence City’s pursuit of Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández, but well‑placed sources indicate that head coach Enzo Maresca continues to hold a strong interest in the Argentine midfielder.