Manchester City supporters have reacted with a mixture of excitement, relief and disbelief after reports that the club have reached a full agreement with Lille for Ayyoub Bouaddi.
The reported deal is worth €100 million including add-ons, making the highly rated midfielder one of the biggest investments of Manchester City’s summer transfer window.
Bouaddi will not feature for Lille against Angers today, further fuelling speculation that his move to Manchester City is now extremely close to completion.
For City supporters on X, the news was enough to generate a huge reaction. Many fans were simply delighted that the club had finally secured another major midfield addition.
However, not everyone was convinced by the price.
Man City fans celebrate “good news”
The most common reaction from supporters was excitement.
One fan, nikotine.wav, summed up the mood bluntly by writing: “Finally some good f**king news.”
That reaction received plenty of attention, reflecting the relief among supporters who have been waiting for the club to make further moves in the transfer market.
Another supporter, Leng, posted: “F**king finally”, while Nyx simply responded: “Finally!!!!!”
The enthusiasm was also evident in comments such as “Huge news”, “BOMBAAA”, “Get in joooorrrrr” and “letsfgoo”.
It is clear that a section of the Manchester City fanbase sees Bouaddi’s arrival as an important statement from the club.
After a summer of major transfer speculation, supporters appear eager to see City strengthen the squad with young players who could become key figures for years to come.
“Don’t even care, just come quick”
Perhaps one of the most interesting reactions came from MFC(MBLLZ), who wrote: “Don’t even care just come quick.”
That comment captures the excitement surrounding the deal.
For many City fans, the details of the transfer are becoming secondary. The priority is getting Bouaddi into Manchester and seeing him begin his next chapter at the Etihad.
At a reported €100m including add-ons, expectations will naturally be high.
Bouaddi is still a young midfielder, meaning City would not simply be buying a finished product. Instead, the club would be investing heavily in a player they believe can develop into an elite midfielder.
That long-term element is likely to be particularly important for Enzo Maresca.
The Italian manager inherited the Manchester City job after succeeding Pep Guardiola in June 2026, and supporters will expect him to build a squad capable of competing at the highest level for many years.
But some supporters think €100m is too much
While the majority of the reactions were positive, there was also clear concern about the transfer fee.
Olz reacted to the reported agreement by saying: “Outrageous fees wtf is this!”
Another supporter, CHONG, suggested that Bouaddi should cost considerably less, writing: “Should be around 50-70.”
That is an important part of the debate surrounding the transfer.
€100m is an enormous amount of money for a young midfielder. Even when the figure includes potential add-ons, supporters will naturally question whether the player can justify such an investment.
Manchester City have become accustomed to operating at the highest end of the transfer market. Yet paying a huge fee for potential carries significant pressure.
Bouaddi will have to develop quickly if he is to convince everyone that the investment was worthwhile.
Fans want Bouaddi after a difficult start
There was also an interesting reaction from supporters who appeared to view the transfer as a welcome distraction from other concerns.
One fan wrote: “Trying to distract us from that horrendous lineup.”
That comment shows how transfer excitement can temporarily shift the mood around a football club.
Manchester City supporters have already been closely analysing Maresca’s team selections and tactical decisions early in his reign. The Bouaddi agreement therefore gives fans something positive to focus on.
Another supporter simply wrote: “took you long enough.”
The message is clear.
Some City fans believe the club should have completed the deal earlier, especially if Bouaddi has been identified as an important target for the future.
“Enzo next please”
Bouaddi was not the only name mentioned by supporters.
One fan, AT #SurvivedChalobah, responded to the transfer news with: “Enzo next please.”
That reaction appears to reflect the desire for Manchester City to continue strengthening the squad rather than treating Bouaddi as the final major move.
With Maresca now in charge, City supporters will be watching closely to see which areas of the squad receive further attention.
The arrival of Bouaddi would provide another young option in midfield, but fans clearly believe there is still more work to be done.
Huge expectations for Ayyoub Bouaddi
The reaction to the reported deal also highlights the expectations that will accompany Bouaddi to Manchester.
Supporters are already excited about his potential. However, a €100m agreement means patience could quickly become difficult if performances do not immediately meet expectations.
That is particularly true because Manchester City are competing for major trophies.
Bouaddi would be joining a squad where competition for places is intense. He will have to adapt to Maresca’s tactical demands, the pace of English football and the enormous expectations surrounding a Manchester City midfielder.
The fact that he will not play against Angers today has only increased the belief that his Lille career is effectively coming to an end.
For City supporters, the next step is now simple: get the deal completed and get Bouaddi into Manchester.
Supporters see a long-term City star
Despite concerns about the price, the overall reaction suggests that Manchester City fans are excited about what Bouaddi could become.
The strongest positive reactions were not necessarily focused on what he can do immediately.
Instead, supporters appear to view the midfielder as a long-term investment.
At a club that has spent years competing for Premier League titles and Champions League success, planning for the future is essential.
Bouaddi could eventually become a central figure in Maresca’s Manchester City project.
That is why the €100m figure is being discussed so heavily.
If Bouaddi develops into one of Europe’s leading midfielders, the fee could eventually look like a smart investment. If he struggles to fulfil his potential, however, the price will be mentioned every time he steps onto the pitch.
Man City fans have delivered their verdict
The reaction to the Ayyoub Bouaddi agreement is therefore not completely unanimous.
Some Manchester City supporters believe €100m is outrageous, while others are simply delighted that the club have finally secured the midfielder.
But the dominant emotion appears to be excitement.
Comments such as “Finally some good news,” “Huge news,” “BOMBAAA” and “F**king finally” demonstrate how strongly some supporters feel about the deal.
There is also a clear desire for Manchester City to keep moving in the transfer market.
Bouaddi’s reported arrival would give Maresca another exciting young midfielder to work with as he begins his first season at the Etihad.
For now, City fans can celebrate the agreement while waiting for the final formalities.
The real judgement, however, will come on the pitch.
If Ayyoub Bouaddi becomes the midfield star many supporters believe he can be, that €100m investment could eventually look very different.
For now, though, one message from the City fanbase stands out above the rest: finally, some good news.
