At just 18 years old, Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi finds himself at the center of transfer speculation as top European clubs circle. Despite Lille’s intention to retain his services, the prospect of a lucrative move this summer remains a possibility, with two elite teams vying for his signature. Among them, Paris Saint-Germain has captured the young player’s preference, though Arsenal is also making a determined push to secure his future.
Having progressed through the ranks at LOSC Lille, Bouaddi is on the verge of making his World Cup debut with Morocco, adding urgency to the transfer saga. Club president Olivier Létang recently addressed the situation, confirming that discussions have taken place regarding Bouaddi’s future. When asked about potential interest from PSG, he stated, « We’ll talk with Ayyoub to be completely transparent, as this has indeed been a topic of our conversations. »
Arsenal emerges as a serious contender
While Paris Saint-Germain leads in Bouaddi’s personal preferences, Arsenal is not far behind in the race. Reports indicate the English club has maintained close contact with Bouaddi’s representatives since early 2025, positioning him as a key target for midfield reinforcement under manager Mikel Arteta. Though the young talent has shown receptiveness to Arsenal’s proposal, his inclination remains firmly with the French capital side.
Lille sets a firm valuation
The club’s reluctance to part ways is clear, with Létang setting a steep price tag for Bouaddi’s departure. « We’ve had frequent exchanges with Ayyoub. Our priority is to keep him. However, if an extraordinary offer materializes, we might reconsider. Anything below €50 million? That’s insufficient. We’re far from the figure that would justify letting him go, » he emphasized.
