Many top clubs are expected to step up their interest in Ayyoub Bouaddi after his impressive World Cup debut for Morocco against Brazil on Saturday night.
Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi made his World Cup debut and just his fourth-ever start for Morocco on Saturday, making the starting lineup for their group game against Brazil.
The 18-year-old very much caught the eye with his performance on the day, in turn sharpening the focus on the recent links between the player and Arsenal.
But Arsenal haven’t been the only club in the mix for Bouaddi in recent months, and the competition is only set to increase if the teenager continues to impress at the World Cup.
Fabrizio Romano reports that despite Bouaddi recently signing a new contract with Lille, the Ligue 1 club are aware that top clubs will be in for him this summer.
In the last six months, Romano claims Bouaddi’s camp have already been approached by Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, and Liverpool. But with the player impressing on the world stage, the reporter now expects all top clubs to be jumping at the opportunity to sign him.
Sacha Tavolieri had reported for Sky Sports in Switzerland this week that Arsenal had identified Bouaddi as a summer target, and that they’d been actively pursuing the player for several months.
The Gunners have reportedly made it clear to Bouaddi and his camp that he’d be an important player in Mikel Arteta’s project from the moment he arrived, and that message seems to have resonated with the player. Before yesterday’s game, he’d indicated an interest in joining Arsenal.
Further talks are reportedly scheduled for after the World Cup, with Arteta expected to be heavily involved.
Lille are looking for around €70m (£60.4m) for the signing, though Arsenal believe strong relationships with the French club’s hierarchy could help them in talks, particularly as they aren’t a domestic rival like PSG.
Bouaddi is already a nailed-on starter for Lille. He’s made 96 senior appearances for the club, including starting 28 of their 34 Ligue 1 fixtures in 2025/26.
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