Arsenal hold talks to sign Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi as PSG also interested

Favourite to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi emerges as Arsenal and Man Utd target speaks out on future

Ayyoub Bouaddi impressed during Morocco’s draw with Brazil (Picture; Getty) Arsenal have begun talks to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi but they are not the bookies’ favourites to sign the Morocco World Cup sensation. The teenager enhanced his burgeoning reputation with a commanding performance at the heart of his nation’s midfield as the 2022 semi finalists began their campaign with an encouraging 1-1 draw against Brazil. After sealing their first Premier League title in 22 years, Mikel Arteta and Josh Kroenke has stressed the importance on bolstering the squad from a position of strenght. Arteta has designs on strengthening in both midfield and attack after watching his side’s rearguard effort narrowly failing to culminate in what would have been a maiden Champions League triumph. Defeat on penalties against Paris Saint-Germain has crystalised the need to invest heavily again and the Gunners have already began the process of recruiting Bouaddi who is valued at around the £60million by Lille. Speaking about his future, however, after his eye-catching display in the Group C opener, the 18-year-old revealed he was in no rush to make a decision. ‘I’m really happy to know that some clubs are interested in me,” he told The Athletic. Ayyoub Bouaddi next club odds Liverpool 15/8 Arsenal 5/2 Man Utd 3/1 PSG 5/1 Chelsea 13/2 Man City 17/2 Real Madrid 17/2 Bayern Munich 12/1 Odds supplied by Betfair ‘“’But for now I’m only focused on the World Cup and we will try to give everything to do our best.’ According to The Times, Arteta will plan to rotate four players in his engine room next season with Declan Rice, Myles Lewis-Skelly, who enjoyed a new lease of life his more natural role over the course of the run-in, and Martin Zubimendi to be supplemented by a new addition. West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes was on Arsenal’s radar, but the Portugal international appears increasingly likely to join Manchester United with RealMadrid having ruled themselves out of the running. The Gunners won’t have a free run, however, at a player who helped Lille finish third in Ligue 1 last season. Ayyoub Bouaddi helped Morocco to a 1-1 draw against Brazil (Picture: Getty) Chelsea and Manchester United have also been credited with an interest but it is Liverpool who are ranked as the favourites to sign a player who is very much in demand. Andoni Iraola was appointed as Arne Slot’s successor earlier this month and, like his close friend and compatriot Arteta, midfield is certain to be an area that he focuses on strengthening. The likes of Alexis Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones powered the Reds to the title during Slot’s first season in charge, but al three struggled for form and fitness last erm. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source

13 hours ago

Arsenal given price to sign Morocco World Cup star Ayyoub Bouaddi

Arsenal have already held talks to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi (NurPhoto/Shutterstock) Arsenal have made an approach to sign Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, according to reports. The 18-year-old is one of the most highly rated young players in Ligue 1 and has been tipped to make an impact for Morocco at the World Cup this summer. In their opening game against Brazil which ended in a 1-1 draw on Saturday, Bouaddi was one of Morocco’s standout performers in central midfield. According to Sky Sports’ Sacha Tavolieri, Arsenal have been actively working on a deal to sign Bouaddi for several months and the Premier League champions have maintained regular contact with the midfielder’s entourage since January last year. It's finally here Get everything you need to know about the World Cup – England updates, the games to watch and stories you missed – in five minutes, at 1pm, every day. Sign up here. The report adds that Arsenal have made it clear to Bouaddi and his representatives that he would be considered an important part of Mikel Arteta’s squad straight away. Ayyoub Bouaddi delivered an impressive performance in Morocco’s 1-1 draw with Brazil (Getty) Arsenal’s message is said to have ‘resonated’ with Bouaddi, and the Morocco international has expressed his interest in the prospect of a move to Arsenal. However, Arsenal face strong competition as Paris Saint-Germain are also interested in a deal to sign Bouaddi this summer. Further talks between Arsenal and Bouaddi are already scheduled for after the World Cup, while Lille are demanding a €70 million (£60.4m) transfer fee for the midfielder. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source

1 day ago