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Arsenal ‘ready’ to launch bid to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi

By on December 26, 2025

Ayyoub Bouaddi

Arsenal are reportedly ‘ready’ to launch a formal proposal to sign LOSC Lille star Ayyoub Bouaddi, as per Football London.

The Gunners decided to revamp the midfield department by signing Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard last summer. As a result, Mikel Arteta currently has the duo plus Declan Rice and Mikel Merino as options to deploy in the deeper midfield roles.

However, amid injury problems in the centre-forward position, Merino has provided cover in this area since the start of this year. On the other hand, Norgaard has struggled to break into Arteta’s starting line-up this season.

He has signed a short-term contract until 2027 with an option to extend the deal for one more year. So, it appears Arsenal have already started exploring options to replace the 31-year-old with a younger midfielder.

Now, Football London report that Arsenal are looking to add technical depth to the midfield department and have identified Bouaddi as a ‘top target’.

Chelsea and Real Madrid are also interested in the Frenchman, but the Gunners are looking to beat competition by launching a formal proposal worth around £39m, with his existing deal set to run until 2029.

The 18-year-old is a defensive midfielder by trait but is also comfortable in the box-to-box role if needed. After rising through Les Dogues’ youth system, he has already shown glimpses of his qualities in Ligue 1 in recent years.

Bouaddi to Arsenal

However, he picked up a red card in the last two consecutive matches in the Europa League and Ligue 1. Therefore, it is clear that he still needs time to gain maturity.

Although he is still just 18 years old, he is strong and efficient in dribbling past opposition defenders in tight areas. Moreover, he is good in defensive contributions and calm with the ball at his feet.

It has recently been reported that, apart from the North London club, Manchester United and Chelsea have also expressed their interest in signing him, having been impressed by his performances.

Nevertheless, it is going to be interesting to see whether the Emirates club eventually make a concrete approach to lure him away from Stade Pierre Mauroy in January or next summer.