Lille warn Man Utd, Arsenal and Liverpool that Bouaddi could cost over £100m

Lille president Olivier Letang has put Premier League clubs on notice that signing Ayyoub Bouaddi could cost more than £100m, as Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool monitor the 18-year-old Morocco midfielder following his impressive run at the World Cup.

Bouaddi has been one of the tournament’s standout performers, helping Morocco reach the quarter-finals after three strong seasons at Lille, where he broke into the first team at just 16. His combination of age, ability and contract length — three years remaining at the French club — has driven significant interest from some of England’s biggest sides.

Letang, speaking to Eurosport, made clear that very few clubs can realistically meet Lille’s valuation. “Many clubs are interested in him, but very few can afford him right now,” he said. “He’s already one of the best midfielders in the world and still has significant room for improvement. He’s only 18 and has his whole future ahead of him.”

When pressed on a specific asking price, Letang stopped short of naming a figure but pointed to recent high-profile transfers as a benchmark. “How much have players like [Elliot] Anderson or [Sandro] Tonali been sold for, who are much older, but without room for improvement — so you have an idea of the value of Ayyoub, who has a unique profile at only 18 years old,” he said.

Previous reports had placed Lille’s valuation at around £70m, but Letang’s comments suggest the club’s expectations have risen sharply in line with Bouaddi’s World Cup profile.

The player himself has kept his focus firmly on the tournament. “For the moment I’m only focused on the World Cup, I cannot answer to this right now,” Bouaddi said when asked about his future. “I’m really happy to know that some clubs are interested in me but for now I’m here focused on the World Cup with Morocco.”

Morocco’s next test is a quarter-final against France. A victory would send the Atlas Lions into the semi-finals for the second consecutive World Cup.