Arsenal-linked Ayyoub Bouaddi admits he’ll have a decision to make on a potential transfer next summer, but he’s not planning to move until the end of the season.
Recent reports from Fabrice Hawkins of RMC Sport confirmed that Arsenal are in the race to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille OSC, with the Gunners reportedly “pushing hard”.
Arsenal are just one of several Premier League clubs in the mix, however, with Chelsea also involved.
For the time being, a potential transfer to England is on hold, with Bouaddi extending his contract at Lille until 2029. But that doesn’t mean he’ll be off the market next year, Lille are simply hoping to cash in for more than €50m (£43.8m).
In the meantime, Bouaddi himself has told the media he’s focusing on the season with Lille, and then he’ll have a choice to make at the end of the campaign.
“I have extended until 2029 and next year is still far away,” Bouaddi said. “I am focused on this season and we have things to fight for.
“As I also said to the president (Olivier Létang), at the end of the season, there will be a choice to be made, and anything can happen. We don’t know what will happen.”
Despite only being 18 years old, Bouaddi is already a nailed-on starter for Lille. He’s made 72 senior appearances for the club, including starting 13 of their first 14 Ligue 1 fixtures in 2025/26.
The midfielder only eventually dropped out of the Lille lineup due to a red card he picked up against Le Havre AC. He’s currently serving a domestic suspension, though he remains available for Lille’s Europa League games.
If Arsenal are looking to future-proof their midfield, signing Bouaddi would seemingly aid that cause. But their pursuit will have to wait until next summer, and there’s no telling how many clubs might have joined the race by then.