Ayyoub Bouaddi breaks silence on transfer links as Arsenal 'begin talks' over summer move

Ayyoub Bouaddi has brushed speech increasing transportation speculation by insisting that his afloat absorption remains connected Morocco's World Cup campaign.

The 18-year-old caught the oculus successful Morocco's Group C opener against Brazil, producing a mature midfield display arsenic the Atlas Lions secured a 1-1 gully astatine the MetLife Stadium.

Widely regarded arsenic 1 of the brightest young talents successful French football, Bouaddi enjoyed a breakthrough 2025-26 play with Lille, helping the nine unafraid a third-place decorativeness successful Ligue 1 and qualification for adjacent season's Champions League.

Ayyoub Bouaddi breaks soundlessness amid Arsenal interest 

Arsenal person agelong been credited with an interest successful the teen and are reportedly stepping up their pursuit up of the summertime transportation window.

Recent reports assertion that the Gunners person identified Bouaddi arsenic 1 of their priority midfield targets and person remained successful interaction with his representatives since January 2025.

According to a study from The Times, Arsenal person present opened talks implicit a imaginable woody for the Lille youngster, who is besides attracting attraction from Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain.

Despite the increasing speculation surrounding his future, Bouaddi insists helium is paying small attraction to transportation rumours portion representing his state astatine the World Cup.

“I’m truly blessed to cognize that immoderate clubs are funny successful maine but for present I’m lone focused connected the World Cup and we volition effort to springiness everything to bash our best," said Bouaddi aft the Brazil match. 

Arsenal determination distant from Mateus Fernandes chase? 

Fresh from ending their 22-year hold for a Premier League title, Arsenal are already laying the foundations for different rubric challenge, and are preparing for a large summertime window. 

Mikel Arteta tin telephone upon the likes of Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi and Myles Lewis-Skelly successful midfield, but the Spaniard is reportedly keen to adhd further extent and contention successful the motor room.

The North London outfit person besides been linked with West Ham United's Mateus Fernandes, though reports suggest that his £80m valuation is viewed arsenic excessive.

Even so, securing Bouaddi's signature whitethorn beryllium arsenic difficult. Lille are reluctant to portion ways with 1 of their prized assets, portion Fabrizio Romano precocious claimed that Liverpool person besides made interaction implicit a imaginable determination for the Morocco international.