Manchester City Set to Sign Bouaddi as Rodri Leaves

Liverpool’s summer rebuild has been deliberate rather than dramatic. Now, one of the more intriguing midfield options on their radar is slipping away to a direct Premier League rival.

The domino that triggers it all? Rodri to Barcelona.

Rodri move opens door for City

Rodri’s departure from Manchester City to Camp Nou has forced the champions to react quickly in the market. They have turned to Ayyoub Bouaddi, the 18-year-old Moroccan who lit up the World Cup and has been tracked by several elite clubs, including Liverpool.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Bouaddi is now closing in on a move to City in the coming days. Personal terms are already agreed. The only question left is the agreement between City and Lille, with reports suggesting the fee could soar beyond $100 million.

Earlier noise around the deal suggested Lille wanted Bouaddi back on loan for a year. That stance has shifted. Romano reports that the teenager will join City immediately, stepping straight into Enzo Maresca’s squad, which has already been strengthened by the $157 million signing of Elliot Anderson.

For City, Rodri goes out, Bouaddi comes in. The machine keeps turning.

Liverpool watch a target slip away

Across the M62, the mood is different. Liverpool’s business has been steady, not spectacular, and their interest in Bouaddi now looks destined to go unfulfilled.

Andoni Iraola has been clear about what he wants: more depth, more quality, more competition. The club has already moved decisively in defence, bringing in Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo, both lured by the promise of minutes and development at Anfield.

Up front, the refresh is underway too. Victor Munoz has arrived, and Liverpool are pushing on with plans to add more width. PSG pair Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye are both firmly on the shortlist, with their ability to operate on either flank making them attractive options for a front line that needs new sparks.

Only after the wide areas are addressed is the midfield expected to come back into sharp focus. That’s where Bouaddi once sat as a possible long-term piece.

Midfield in flux, but no emergency

On paper, Liverpool’s midfield is not in crisis. It is, however, in motion.

Curtis Jones is expected to leave, while Alexis Mac Allister’s contract situation hangs in the air, prompting understandable questions about the medium-term shape of Iraola’s engine room.

Bouaddi, with his World Cup performances and sky-high ceiling, fit the profile of the kind of midfielder who could anchor a new era. Instead, he is about to be unveiled in sky blue.

For Liverpool, it is a blow, but not a fatal one. The club has already laid some of the groundwork for the future in the middle of the pitch.

Trey Nyoni’s breakthrough last season has been one of the most encouraging stories at Anfield. His impressive preseason only strengthened the belief that he can grow into a long-term presence at the heart of the side, rather than just a fleeting academy cameo.

Around him, Liverpool have locked in serious talent on lengthy deals: Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, and Florian Wirtz give Iraola a core that can carry the team for years if handled correctly.

So the need is real, but not urgent. Not yet.

A problem for another summer?

Bouaddi’s expected move to Manchester City removes one high-end option from next summer’s board before the window even opens. That could matter.

If Mac Allister heads into the final year of his contract in 12 months’ time, Liverpool’s midfield picture will look very different. Decisions that can be delayed now will demand answers then.

For City, the plan is already in motion, reshaped in a matter of days after Rodri’s departure. For Liverpool, the question lingers: when the next elite midfielder becomes available, will they be ready to move first, rather than watch another one head to a rival?