Arsenal have been linked with a summer move for Lille and Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi and he has since held talks around his potential next move
Ayyoub Bouaddi has held talks with Lille president Olivier Letang over his future amid reported transfer interest from Arsenal.
Bouaddi, 18, is one of the sought-after young players in world football right now after impressing for Morocco at this summer’s World Cup. Indeed, the 2007-born starlet started all five matches for the African nation in North America, catching the eye with some standout performances.
He was unfortunate not to win the Player of the Match award in the group opener against Brazil, before continuing on his form across the rest of the tournament as Morocco crashed out in the quarter-final.
And since Morocco bowed out of the World Cup to France, speculation around Bouaddi’s future has increased with Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United among those in the race for the Lille midfielder.
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The Athletic claim that Bouaddi’s valuation has increased to around £86m following his performances at the World Cup and Lille are keen to keep him for at least one more season.
They added that City were ‘pushing hard’ to sign Bouaddi, while Arsenal and United remain in the race and Paris Saint-Germain pulled out as the French club are not looking to sign another midfielder.
Now, Lille president Letang has spoken about Bouaddi’s future for the first time since his impressive World Cup campaign and revealed that he has held talks with him about his next move.
Speaking in a press conference on Thursday, Letang said: “We have seen each other since his return from the World Cup. I can’t say what was said. Everything is possible, but my opinion is that he should stay with us another season. My conviction is that there is a strong chance that he stays with us and he would be very happy to do so.”
Bouaddi, who has already made 96 senior appearances for Lille since making his debut in October 2023, issued an update on his future during the World Cup and hinted his future would be resolved after the tournament.
“For the moment, I am only focused on the World Cup and I cannot answer to this right now,” he told NBC. Of course, I’m really happy to know that some clubs are interested in me. But, for now, I’m only focused on the World Cup with Morocco and we will try to give everything to do our best.”
Mikel Arteta is keen to strengthen his Arsenal squad after winning the Premier League and Bouaddi is considered a target for the midfield area, with Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali previously linked.
