Arsenal are in talks to sign Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi ahead of Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain within the January transfer window, based on reports in France.
The 18-year-old made his skilled debut for Lille two years ago and has already made 72 first-team appearances for the French club.
Bouaddi is thought to be among the best young prospects in French football and has attracted interest from several clubs across Europe.
‘Along with his footballing qualities, he has an open mind, a vision on other things. In his way of expressing himself, it’s precise and straightforward. He might be considered one of the long run jewels of French football,’ France Under-21 coach, Gerald Baticle, said earlier this yr.
In response to RMC Sport, Arsenal are ‘making a powerful push’ to sign Bouaddi with the club’s sporting director, Andrea Berta, already involved the midfielder’s representatives.
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The report claims that each Arsenal and Chelsea are willing to supply €45 million (£39.3m) for the 18-year-old within the upcoming transfer window.
Lille, nonetheless, need to keep Bouaddi within the January transfer window and are in talks to increase the player’s contract, which currently expires in 2027.
The Ligue 1 side are said to be ‘confident’ of reaching an agreement with Bouaddi, while the club’s president, Olivier Letang, is claimed to be holding out for at the least a €50m (£43.6m) transfer fee next summer.
Bouaddi has appeared for France Under-21s but Morocco are keen for him to modify allegiances at senior level.
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