Bouaddi impresses at World Cup, PSG and Arsenal battle for his signature at €70M

At 18 years old, Ayyoub Bouaddi enjoyed a global showcase on Saturday evening: the LOSC midfielder delivered a standout performance in Morocco’s 1-1 draw with Brazil at the World Cup, further cementing his status as one of Europe’s most coveted talents.

Under contract with Lille until 2027, the Senlis native is valued at €50 million by Transfermarkt, but the Lille board has set the bar much higher: according to Sky Sports, the Dogues would refuse any offer below €70 million — a threshold set before the World Cup even began, likely to increase if the player continues his momentum with the Lions of the Atlas.

Two main contenders stand out in this race. On one side, Arsenal, which particularly appreciates the midfielder’s profile and is closely monitoring his development, according to journalist Sacha Tavolieri. On the other, Paris Saint-Germain, whose interest dates back at least to April, when journalist Abdellah Boulma revealed that the capital club was quietly advancing on this matter. Still according to Tavolieri, Bouaddi would even retain a slight personal preference for the double reigning European champions.

However, the situation is more nuanced on his entourage’s side. According to several sources close to the matter, the Bouaddi camp would lean more towards the Premier League, which could reshuffle the cards in the coming weeks.

Three weeks after his first start with the Moroccan national team, the player is racking up appearances on the international stage. Each additional World Cup match is likely to drive up the bidding and accelerate a transfer that promises to be one of the major storylines of the summer 2026 transfer window.