Arsenal are in talks to sign Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi ahead of Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain in the January transfer window, according to reports in France.
The 18-year-old made his professional debut for Lille two years ago and has already made 72 first-team appearances for the French club.
Bouaddi is regarded as one of the best young prospects in French football and has attracted interest from several clubs across Europe.
‘In addition to his footballing qualities, he has an open mind, a vision on other things. In his way of expressing himself, it is precise and simple. He can be one of the future jewels of French football,’ France Under-21 coach, Gerald Baticle, said earlier this year.
According to RMC Sport, Arsenal are ‘making a strong push’ to sign Bouaddi with the club’s sporting director, Andrea Berta, already in contact the midfielder’s representatives.
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The report claims that both Arsenal and Chelsea are willing to offer €45 million (£39.3m) for the 18-year-old in the upcoming transfer window.
Lille, however, want to keep Bouaddi in the January transfer window and are in talks to extend the player’s contract, which currently expires in 2027.
The Ligue 1 side are said to be ‘confident’ of reaching an agreement with Bouaddi, while the club’s president, Olivier Letang, is said to be holding out for at least a €50m (£43.6m) transfer fee next summer.
Bouaddi has appeared for France Under-21s but Morocco are keen for him to switch allegiances at senior level.
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