Updated: 14 Jun 2026 14:28 BST |
5 min read
Arsenal approached Lille over the possibility of signing Ayyoub Bouaddi before the Morocco star lit up the World Cup against Brazil on Saturday, according to transfers specialist Fabrizio Romano.
Bouaddi has developed a reputation as one of the most promising young midfielders in the world since emerging through Lille’s youth system in 2023, with the 18-year-old having already made 96 appearances for the club.
And the teen sensation enhanced his burgeoning reputation with a magnificent performance against Brazil in New Jersey, in what was his maiden appearance at the World Cup.
While Bouaddi has fast become the name on everyone’s lips following his metronomic performance in Morocco’s 1-1 draw with Brazil, transfers guru Romano insists Europe’s top clubs were already well-aware of the gifted midfielder.
In his latest YouTube video, Romano revealed Arsenal reached out to Bouaddi’s club side Lille in the lead up to the World Cup, with the club keen to strengthen their midfield ranks this summer.
“Even before the World Cup, some of the biggest clubs in the world started some conversations with his (Bouaddi) agents,” Romano said. “I can tell you that, between January and now, for sure he has been approached by Paris Saint-Germain. Paris Saint-Germain love Bouaddi.”
60 – Ayyoub Bouaddi completed 60 passes for 🇲🇦 Morocco against 🇧🇷 Brazil.
At 18 years and 254 days, he’s the second youngest player to complete 50+ passes in a FIFA World Cup match in the last 60 years.
Skilled. pic.twitter.com/M4DAn2wznO
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 14, 2026
Italian Romano added: “Then we have to mention also that English clubs started conversations for Bouaddi. For example there were direct contacts with Arsenal and direct contacts also with Liverpool. So both clubs had meetings with the agents of the player.”
The news comes after The Times reported Arsenal were keeping tabs on Bouaddi following the Champions League final in May, with a separate report from BBC Sport claiming the Gunners want to sign a flexible midfielder who can operate as both a No. 6 and a No. 8.
Lille insist Bouaddi will only leave if huge offer arrives
However, Lille president Olivier Letang said at the start of June that the club will only allow Bouaddi to leave if they receive a massive offer for his services, saying €50million (£43.2m) is “not enough”.
In quotes carried by French publication RMC Sport, Letang said: “We’ll talk about it (transfer speculation) with Ayyoub. To be very sincere, it had also been the subject of our discussions. We have very, very, very regular exchanges with Ayyoub. The idea for us is to keep him.”
And when asked whether €50m would be enough to land Bouaddi, Letang added: “No, that’s not enough. When I say extraordinary it’s something extraordinary. Here we are far from the amount that would allow us to let Ayyoub go.
“Bouaddi has extended his contract until 2029, so he has three years left. He is 18 years old and [somewhere] he is sure to be a starter in a team that plays [in] the Champions League.”
An alternative report from French reporter Julien Laurens claims Lille would want between €60m and €70m (£51.7m and £60.4m) to allow Bouaddi to leave this summer.
Bouaddi poised to face high-flying Scotland
Bouaddi will be hoping to continue his fine form when Morocco lock horns with Scotland in their second Group C fixture next Friday.
After Morocco were held to a stalemate with Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil on Saturday, Scotland marked their first World Cup campaign since 1998 by beating Haiti 1-0 on the same day.
John McGinn’s deflected first-half effort proved decisive as The Tartan Army took a major step towards reaching the knockout stage of an international tournament for the first time in their history in Boston.
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