Ayyoub Bouaddi: Man City, Arsenal handed transfer boost for World Cup star as Lille ‘preference’ becomes clear

Manchester City and Arsenal person seemingly been handed a large boost successful their pursuit of Lille teen Ayyoub Bouaddi.

The 18-year-old midfielder is 1 of the brightest stars to interruption retired astatine the 2026 World Cup having made a notable content for Morocco.

Bouaddi delivered an eye-catching show successful Morocco’s 1-1 gully with Brazil, earlier helping the Atlas Lions bushed Scotland 1-0 connected matchday two.

He past watched connected arsenic an unused substitute for Morocco’s 4-2 triumph against Haiti, but the youngster is apt to instrumentality to the starting lineup for their last-32 conflict with the Netherlands connected Monday.

Bouaddi does not crook 19 until October, but helium has already amassed 63 Ligue 1 appearances for Lille, portion helium played 40 times for Les Dogues crossed the French apical tier and the Europa League successful the 2025-26 season.

The midfielder’s awesome emergence is understood to person alerted respective apical European clubs including Premier League rivals Arsenal and Man City, portion Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain person besides been credited with an interest.

Lille favour Bouaddi merchantability to Premier League nine implicit PSG

It has antecedently been reported that Arsenal have conducted extended scouting enactment connected Bouaddi and the reigning Premier League champions have opened talks implicit a imaginable deal for the Lille ace.

Man City are said to beryllium the latest nine to participate the race for Bouaddi’s signature, though, with ESPN reporter Rondra claiming that the Citizens are the squad ‘best positioned’ to motion the midfielder.

ESPN person besides been made alert that France-born Bouaddi is simply a PSG supporter, but Lille would similar the teen to determination to the Premier League alternatively than different French nine if helium leaves this summer, handing some Man City and Arsenal a immense boost.

While it is thought that Arsenal are exploring a determination for Bouaddi this summer, Man City presently presumption the midfielder arsenic a people for the 2027 summertime transportation window, but that stance could alteration if further developments implicit his aboriginal arise.

Lille were astute to necktie Bouaddi down to a caller declaration until 2029 earlier this summer’s World Cup began, and they are believed to beryllium worth the Moroccan in the portion of €80m (£69m).

Rising prima Bouaddi the latest midfielder wanted by Man City and Arsenal

Bouaddi, who precocious admitted that helium is “really happy" that immoderate clubs are interested in his services, would lone see leaving Lille this summertime if helium tin consistently play a ‘key role’ astatine a caller club.

Speculation implicit Bouaddi’s aboriginal astatine Lille is apt to turn arsenic soon arsenic Morocco’s information astatine the World Cup comes to an end, but determination are nary guarantees that helium leaves this summer.

Man City’s involvement successful Bouaddi comes astatine a clip erstwhile they person agreed a club-record woody to motion Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, portion they are besides said to person a genuine interest successful Sporting Lisbon skipper Morten Hjulmand.

As for Arsenal, they are believed to beryllium keen to bolster their centre-midfield options and they are preparing to marque a 2nd approach for Newcastle United prima Bruno Guimaraes aft a £55m connection was swiftly rebuffed earlier this week.

Both Man City and Arsenal person besides expressed an involvement successful Sandro Tonali, but Tottenham Hotspur look to beryllium the nine pushing the astir to motion the Italy international this summer.