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Arsenal battling with PSG & Bayern to sign Lille star Ayyoub Bouaddi

By on June 15, 2026

Ayyoub Bouaddi

Arsenal have expressed interest in signing highly rated Moroccan international midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi this summer, according to Nicolo Schira. 

A product of Lille’s highly regarded academy, he made his senior debut at just 16 years and 3 days old in a UEFA Conference League fixture against Faroese side KÍ on October 5, 2023, becoming the youngest player ever to feature in a European club competition at that time.

Since that breakthrough, Bouaddi has accumulated 96 appearances for Lille, establishing himself as an important member of a side that has become a regular presence in European competition in recent years.

During the recently concluded campaign, the midfielder was a consistent figure in the heart of Lille’s midfield, playing a significant role as Les Dogues secured a third-place finish in Ligue 1 and direct qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League.

Bouaddi drew widespread plaudits after an assured performance for Morocco in their opening World Cup game against five-time champions Brazil on Saturday, sparking keen interest from several clubs.

One of the clubs looking to sign Bouaddi is Arsenal, according to Nicolo Schira, who claims that the Gunners have expressed interest in signing the 18-year-old.

Bouaddi is a ‘fantastic’ midfielder

Having only extended his contract last November, it’ll take a significant offer to price him away from the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, and it’s no surprise the Italian journalist adds that the four-time French champions have placed a valuation between £60 and £70m to sign the exciting midfielder.

However, Arsenal are set to face stern competition in the race to sign Bouaddi, as European giants Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich have also shown interest in the France-born Moroccan international, Schira adds.

Bouaddi delivered a standout performance, recording a match-high 88 touches, winning more duels than any other player with 11, and completing the most successful passes in the opposition half with 30. He also posted an exceptional 93% completion rate, underscoring his composure and technical quality.

The teenager’s display was made all the more impressive by the fact that he outshone Casemiro, who completed only 18 passes before his first-half withdrawal.

Considering no current Arsenal midfielder is below the age of 26, it is pertinent that the Gunners plan for the future and Bouaddi, who has been described as ‘fantastic’ by European football journalist Andy Brassell, would be a suitable choice to compete for a starting role and eventually take over a midfield position should any of the available options depart.