Man City Signing Makes Bouaddi Most Expensive EPL Teenager — See Top 10

Ayyoub Bouaddi has become the most expensive teenager ever signed by a Premier League club following his move from Lille to Manchester City.

City completed the signing of the 18-year-old Morocco international in a deal worth up to £86 million, with the package reportedly made up of an £81.3 million initial payment and £4.3 million in add-ons.

The transfer sees Bouaddi surpass Manchester United’s Leny Yoro, who previously held the record for the most expensive teenage signing in the Premier League.

Here are the leading teenage transfers involving Premier League clubs:

1. Ayyoub Bouaddi — Lille to Manchester City — £86m

The Moroccan midfielder takes first place following City’s agreement with Lille over a deal that could reach £86 million.

Bouaddi broke into Lille’s senior side at just 16 and quickly established himself as one of Europe’s most promising young midfielders.

He made 30 Ligue 1 appearances last season and also played a prominent role for Morocco at the 2026 World Cup.

2. Rasmus Højlund — Atalanta to Manchester United — £72m

Højlund joined Manchester United from Atalanta in 2023 in a deal worth a reported £64 million initially, with add-ons capable of taking the fee to around £72 million.

The Danish striker was 20 at the time and arrived in England after an impressive breakthrough season in Serie A.

3. Romeo Lavia — Southampton to Chelsea — £53m

Chelsea paid Southampton approximately £53 million for Belgian midfielder Romeo Lavia in 2023 after winning the race for his signature ahead of Liverpool.

Lavia’s performances during Southampton’s relegation campaign had marked him out as one of the league’s most highly rated young midfielders.

4. Leny Yoro — Lille to Manchester United — £52.2m

Yoro was the previous record holder before Bouaddi’s transfer.

Manchester United signed the French defender from Lille in 2024 for £52.2 million, with further add-ons potentially increasing the final value.

5. Raheem Sterling — Liverpool to Manchester City — £49m

Sterling joined Manchester City from Liverpool in 2015 at the age of 20.

City paid an initial £44 million, with the total deal potentially reaching £49 million.

The England winger later became an important part of City’s success, winning four Premier League titles, five League Cups and one FA Cup.

6. Anthony Martial — Monaco to Manchester United — £36m

Manchester United signed 19-year-old Anthony Martial from Monaco in 2015 for an initial fee of about £36 million, with performance-related clauses potentially taking the value higher.

Martial made an immediate impact by scoring against Liverpool on his debut and went on to produce several strong spells at Old Trafford.

7. Luke Shaw — Southampton to Manchester United — £31.5m

Shaw was 18 when Manchester United brought him in from Southampton in 2014.

The transfer was initially valued at around £27 million but could rise to £31.5 million through add-ons.

He had already established himself as one of the Premier League’s brightest young full-backs before joining United.

8. Fabio Silva — Porto to Wolves — £35m

Wolverhampton Wanderers signed 18-year-old Fabio Silva from Porto for around £35 million in 2020.

The Portuguese forward was regarded as a major prospect and became one of the most expensive teenagers in Premier League history.

9. Gabriel Jesus — Palmeiras to Manchester City — £27m

Manchester City agreed a £27 million deal for Gabriel Jesus from Palmeiras in 2016.

The Brazilian forward was 19 at the time and had already emerged as one of the country’s most exciting young attacking talents.

10. Joe Cole — West Ham to Chelsea — £6.6m — Excluded

Joe Cole’s 2003 transfer from West Ham to Chelsea was worth £6.6 million, but he was 21 when the move took place.

He therefore does not meet the criteria for a teenage-only ranking and should be excluded from the official top 10.

Bouaddi’s £86 million transfer consequently stands as the new Premier League record for a teenage signing, underlining the increasingly significant financial investment clubs are making in young players.

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