Arsenal have reportedly stepped up their pursuit of Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, with the Premier League champions identifying the Moroccan teenager as one of their top targets for the summer transfer window.
The Gunners are continuing to strengthen despite ending their 22-year wait for a Premier League title last season, with sporting director Andrea Berta and manager Mikel Arteta keen to build a squad capable of remaining at the summit of English football.
While much of Arsenal’s transfer focus has centred on attacking reinforcements, the North London club are also exploring midfield additions and Bouaddi has emerged as a player of significant interest.
The 18-year-old has quickly established himself as one of the brightest young talents in French football and recently enhanced his growing reputation with an impressive display in Morocco’s 1-1 World Cup draw against Brazil.
According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Arsenal have been working behind the scenes on a potential deal for several months and have maintained regular communication with the player’s representatives since January last year.
The report claims Arsenal have made it clear that Bouaddi would not be brought in as a development project, but would instead be considered an important member of Arteta’s first-team plans from the outset.
That proposal is said to have impressed the young midfielder, who is reportedly intrigued by the prospect of moving to the Emirates Stadium.
However, Arsenal are expected to face fierce competition for his signature.
French champions Paris Saint-Germain are also monitoring Bouaddi closely and could challenge the Gunners in the race to land one of Europe’s most sought-after teenage midfielders.
Lille, meanwhile, are in no rush to sell and are understood to have placed a valuation of around €70 million (£60.4m) on the player.
Despite already boasting a formidable midfield that includes Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi and emerging star Myles Lewis-Skelly, Arsenal view Bouaddi as a player capable of strengthening both their present and future.
The teenager’s performances for Lille have attracted widespread praise, while his confident showing against Brazil on football’s biggest stage has only increased interest from elite clubs across Europe.
Further talks between Arsenal and Bouaddi’s camp are expected once Morocco’s World Cup campaign concludes.
With PSG also lurking, Arsenal know they may need to move quickly if they are to secure the signature of one of the most exciting young midfielders in European football.
