Rio Ferdinand has named the World Cup star he would ‘100 per cent’ sign, with the player a transfer target for Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool.
As ever, the World Cup has been a showcase for new and emerging talents, with many standout performers now linked with big money transfers.
One such player is Ayyoub Bouaddi, who has gone from complete unknown to one of the highest-rated teenagers in the world in just a few weeks.
The 18-year-old starred in the heart of Morocco’s midfield as the African champions drew with Brazil and knocked out the Netherlands and co-hosts Canada.
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His World Cup journey came to an end last week with a 2-0 defeat to tournament favourites France in the quarter-finals, but the future is very bright for the Lille star.
Arsenal, Liverpool, Man Utd, Manchester City and Bayern Munich are among the European giants interested in his services, and Ferdinand believes he would be a top signing for any team.
‘I would go and get Bouaddi from Morocco, the 18-year-old midfielder,’ the United and England legend said when asked which World Cup stars he would sign if he were running a club.
‘100 per cent I’m taking him, building stuff around him. [He] takes the ball, manipulator.
‘Controls the momentum of the game, speeds it up, slows it down, can beat the press. He’s my conductor.’
In the wake of Elliot Anderson’s move to City and Sandro Tonali’s switch to Tottenham, Lille chairman Olivier Letang has suggested his player will cost around £100m.
Additionally, it is said that Lille want to hold onto Bouaddi for at least one more season, which could result in him being signed and then loaned back to the French club this summer.
United have confirmed the arrival of Andrey Santos from Chelsea and are close to signing Aston Villa’s Youri Tielemans but are said to be in the market for a third midfielder.
Arsenal are also looking to recruit in that position and could turn to Bouaddi if a move for Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes falls through.
Ferdinand also named Arsenal’s William Saliba as a player he would want to sign following his commanding performances in France’s defence.
Bradley Barcola is another Les Bleus star he thinks has earned a big money move, with the PSG winger strongly linked with both the Emirates and Anfield.
‘I’m going to Paris Saint-Germain with my shopping bags and taking Barcola out of that place,’ Ferdinand added on his YouTube channel.
‘Because he’s the one you can get. You can’t get [Desire] Doue, you can’t get [Khvicha] Kvaratskhelia. So, I’m taking Barcola.
‘If Barcola comes play for me, he’s becoming one of the best in the world the way I’d have him moving.’
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