Liverpool targets Ayyoub Bouaddi, 18-year-old Lille midfielder
In brief
- Ayyoub Bouaddi, 18, central midfielder at LOSC Lille, attracts Europe's elite clubs
- Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Real Madrid, PSG all pursue prospect
- Lille rejected Arsenal's €60M bid, seeks €70M minimum for Bouaddi
The bidding war intensifies
Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and PSG are all reportedly interested, turning this into a multi-club pursuit. Arsenal reportedly submitted a bid of €60 million in June 2026, but Lille rejected it outright. The rejection signals the French club's unwillingness to accept offers below their stated threshold.
Lille's president, Olivier Letang, is reportedly open to negotiations, though the club's asking price remains steep. The French club is said to be seeking a minimum of €70 million, with aspirations of pushing the fee beyond €80 million. An €80 million fee would match or exceed Lille's previous record sale when Nicolas Pépé left for Arsenal.
Bouaddi's trajectory and contract security
His current market value sits at €50 million, though Lille's ambitions far exceed independent valuations. The player's contract extension, signed in December 2025 and running through June 2029, gives the club leverage in negotiations and removes any urgency to sell.
He represents France at youth international level, though he holds the option to declare for Morocco at senior level. This dual-eligibility adds another dimension to his profile and appeal.
Lille's selling tradition
Lille has a well-documented history of developing world-class talent and selling at premium prices. Eden Hazard, Nicolas Pépé, Victor Osimhen, and Jonathan David all passed through the club's academy before commanding substantial fees in the transfer market. Bouaddi fits that mold—a prospect developed internally, now commanding attention from Europe's financial heavyweights.
As of June 2026, no confirmed bids beyond Arsenal's rejected offer have materialized. Whether Liverpool, Manchester United, or the other interested parties will test Lille's resolve with formal offers remains to be seen.
