- 22 hours ago
Arsenal and Liverpool set for wonderkid transfer BATTLE after 'glowing' reports
Suraj Radia
- 13 Mar 2025 16:45 GMT
- 3 min read
News
Liverpool and Arsenal could be set to battle it out for another midfield wonderkid after reports that the pair are monitoring one of Europe’s breakout stars.
Both sides have already been strongly linked with a move for Norwegian teenager Sverre Nypan, who is expected to leave Rosenborg this summer for the Premier League.
READ MORE: Isak confirmation as Arsenal prepare record-breaking summer window
And another young talent who could make the move is Ayyoub Bouaddi, with TBR Football claiming that Premier League interest in the Lille youngster has ‘increased significantly’.
The 17-year-old has made 20 Ligue 1 appearances in the heart of Lille’s midfield this season while also starring in the Champions League with seven starts, including in his side’s last-16 knockout loss to Dortmund.
It is believed that, along with Arsenal and Liverpool, English teams such as Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City, Aston Villa and Brighton have all watched Bouaddi in action in recent weeks to ‘glowing’ reports.
However, European sides like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig have also reportedly scouted Bouaddi, indicating there could be a fierce transfer saga on the horizon for the youngster’s signature.
Lille hoping to repeat Yoro trick with Bouaddi transfer
Despite the speculation, Bouaddi would be unable to join a new team until January 2026 as he will not turn 18 until October, giving interested teams more time to make their move.
Such a situation would benefit Lille, who are bracing themselves to lose two key stars on free transfers this summer in Angel Gomes and Jonathan David when their contracts expire.
Bouaddi still has two years remaining on his contract with Lille and they will retain hope that they can tie him down to a new deal or raise a huge amount with his sale in 2026, similar to the €62 million exit of Leny Yoro to Man Utd last summer.
Current ETV
Ayyoub Bouaddi
M, DM (C)
Lille
Ayyoub Bouaddi
M, DM (C)
Lille
ETV Range
€24.8M - €30.3M
Having joined Lille’s academy in 2021, Bouaddi became the youngest player ever to play in a European competition when he featured against Faroese club Ki in 2023 at the age of 16 and three days.
He has not spoken of his future currently, instead insisting he wishes to focus on his football and his education after undertaking a degree in mathematics a year earlier than his peers.
