Liverpool are reportedly stepping up their interest in Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, with talks now taking place between the two clubs over a possible summer deal.

According to a source on X, the Reds are exploring ways to bring the highly rated teenager to Anfield, and one idea discussed is using Harvey Elliott as part of the package.

That would be a bold move, but it also shows how serious Liverpool may be about landing one of Europe’s most exciting young midfielders.

Bouaddi’s profile has exploded in recent weeks after his impressive performances for Morocco at the 2026 World Cup.

Reuters praised his maturity after Morocco’s draw with Brazil.

Elliott idea makes deal more interesting

The most intriguing part of the story is Elliott potentially being included.

The 23-year-old remains a talented player, but his long-term role at Liverpool is not completely clear.

He has technical quality, creativity and Premier League experience, yet competition for attacking and midfield places has made regular minutes harder to guarantee.

For Lille, Elliott could be an attractive option if they are asked to lose Bouaddi.

He is still young enough to develop further and could immediately bring quality to their squad.

From Liverpool’s side, including a player in the deal could help reduce the cash fee, especially with Bouaddi’s valuation reportedly around £60m, as mentioned by talkSPORT.

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Liverpool face serious competition

This will not be an easy race.

This Is Anfield has reported that Liverpool have made direct contact, but Arsenal, PSG, Tottenham and other major clubs are also watching closely.

For Liverpool, the appeal is obvious. Bouaddi is press-resistant, physically mature and already looks comfortable on the biggest stage.

If the Reds can structure a smart deal involving Elliott, this could become one of the most creative transfers of the summer.

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Lille are set to demand a record fee for their teenage central midfielder, with Arsenal and PSG the most likely to pay it as it stands.

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The World Cup always brings big moves and plenty of rumours, and before even the first round of games has been completed one of the breakout stars of the tournament already looks to have emerged.

Morocco’s hugely impressive 1-1 draw against Brazil was the most high profile match of the competition so far, and the star of the show was sensational teenage midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi.

He ran the show against the Selecao, and it’s no surprise that transfer interest in the Lille starlet has ramped up since.

Teenage talent fee could smash records

TeamTalk are reporting that Arsenal and PSG are the front runners to sign him, but it won’t come cheap.

A £60m fee would be the highest ever for a teenage central midfielder, breaking the record set by Chelsea’s disastrous signing of Romeo Lavia.

Given Bouaddi’s age and potential, it would still seem like a pretty good deal. If he keeps playing well at the World Cup and Morocco go far in the tournament, the number could climb even higher.

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Arsenal have reportedly opened preliminary talks to sign Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, with the Gunners hoping to secure a deal worth around £50m plus add-ons.

According to Football Insider, Arsenal have started early discussions for the 18-year-old, although Lille are believed to be holding out for closer to £60m.

The French club know his value is rising quickly, especially after his outstanding performance for Morocco against Brazil at the 2026 World Cup.

That display may have changed the mood around the deal. Bouaddi looked calm, powerful and mature beyond his years, helping Morocco earn a 1-1 draw against one of the tournament favourites.

Reuters praised his composure, while The Guardian highlighted his control in midfield against elite opposition.

Why Arsenal are moving early for Bouaddi

For Arsenal, this looks like a classic long-term recruitment play.

Mikel Arteta already has Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino, but Bouaddi offers something different.

He is younger, more explosive and already shows the confidence to receive the ball under pressure.

The Gunners have reportedly monitored him for some time, but his World Cup performance could force them to act faster.

Once a teenager shines on that stage, the price usually goes up and the competition becomes much stronger.

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Player remains focused despite transfer noise

Bouaddi has not hidden from the speculation, but he is keeping his focus on Morocco. Speaking to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, he said:

“I’m really happy to know that some clubs are interested in me but for now I’m only focused on the WC and we will try to give everything to do our best.”

That is the right message from a young player in the middle of a major tournament.

For Arsenal, the opportunity is clear. If they can agree a deal before more clubs fully enter the race, this could become one of the smartest midfield signings of the summer.

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The post Just in: Arsenal push for £50m wonderkid deal after World Cup breakout display appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Liverpool appear to be taking their search for future midfield quality seriously, with club executives reportedly travelling to New York’s MetLife Stadium to watch Ayyoub Bouaddi in action.

According to journalist Santi Aouna, the Reds made the trip specifically to assess the Lille midfielder and have now added him to their shortlist.

He is believed to be one of several young midfielders Liverpool are monitoring, with Lamine Camara also among the names under consideration.

It is not hard to see why Liverpool are interested. Bouaddi has quickly become one of the most talked-about young midfielders in Europe, and his performances for Morocco at the 2026 World Cup have only increased the attention around him.

Arsenal, PSG and Tottenham also watching

Liverpool are not alone in the race. PSG, Arsenal, Tottenham and several other clubs are also closely following his development, which could turn this into one of the most competitive young-player pursuits of the summer.

A recent report from The Guardian highlighted his outstanding display against Brazil, where he showed maturity beyond his age in midfield.

Reuters also praised his composure and rapid rise after switching international allegiance from France to Morocco before the tournament.

For Arsenal, he fits the profile of a long-term midfield investment.

For PSG, he represents another chance to secure elite French-developed talent. Tottenham, meanwhile, are also trying to build a younger, more dynamic squad.

Why Liverpool may move early

From Liverpool’s perspective, acting early could be important.

Bouaddi is still only 18, but he already plays with the calmness of a senior midfielder. He is strong, press-resistant, technically clean and brave enough to receive the ball in tight spaces.

His contract situation also makes him valuable. Liverpool have rebuilt smartly in recent years, and this feels like the kind of deal that fits their recruitment model: young, high-ceiling, and capable of becoming far more expensive very quickly.

For now, the interest is at the scouting and shortlist stage but the fact Liverpool sent executives to watch him tells its own story.

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The post Liverpool executives made exclusive trip to USA to watch World Cup 2026 midfielder appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal have begun talks with Morocco sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi following his world-class displays on the grandest stage of football.

The North London club has moved swiftly behind the scenes to secure one of the most highly-rated young talents in global football before his valuation completely skyrockets.

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Arsenal begin talks with Ayyoub Bouaddi

The post Arsenal begin talks with ‘amazing’ teenage sensation who impressed vs Brazil in World Cup 2026 appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal are reportedly confident of beating Paris Saint-Germain to the transfer of Lille midfield wonderkid Ayyoub Bouaddi.

The Gunners have held initial positive talks with Bouaddi’s entourage, and the player seems to be enthusiastic about Mikel Arteta’s project.

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That’s according to Sky’s Sacha Tavolieri, who also suggests that Arsenal’s talks over Bouaddi will accelerate after his participation with Morocco at the 2026 World Cup.

The report suggests Arsenal have done considerable work on this deal, and they’re now optimistic about their chances of signing the 18-year-old, though Lille could ask for as much as €70m.

Ayyoub Bouaddi emerging as top Arsenal midfield target

Tavolieri’s report also mentions that Arsenal are continuing to eye up Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali as another option in midfield.

Still, Bouaddi could fit the bill perfectly as he’s young enough that he wouldn’t necessarily come in to play regularly straight away.

The Gunners already have Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, and Myles Lewis-Skelly as options in that central midfield area, so Bouaddi might have to wait before establishing himself as an automatic starter.

The move to Arsenal could still be good for Bouaddi’s development, though, as he looks to have immense potential, so could stand to learn a lot from the elite coaching of Arteta, and from playing and training alongside world class midfielders like Rice and Zubimendi.

Could PSG win the race for Ayyoub Bouaddi?

Despite PSG also being mentioned as suitors for Bouaddi, one imagines Lille would rather sell the teenage sensation abroad if possible.

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PSG are already dominant in the French league, so Lille would do well to avoid selling such a top young player to a rival.

That could give Arsenal the advantage, but it will be interesting to see if other Premier League clubs or major European sides get involved as well.

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