Liverpool Holds Talks for Lille Midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi
Liverpool Football Club has initiated discussions with the representatives of 18-year-old Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. Bouaddi, who made a notable appearance for Morocco at the World Cup, is also drawing significant interest from several other major European clubs. Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal have reportedly had direct contact with the player's agents, while Real Madrid and Juventus are also preparing bids.
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Liverpool is among the clubs engaging in discussions with the representatives of Ayyoub Bouaddi. The 18-year-old central midfielder, currently with Lille OSC, gained recognition for his performance with Morocco during a World Cup match, a 1-1 draw against Brazil.
Romano stated that Lille is aware of the widespread interest in Bouaddi, with top clubs initiating conversations with his agents even before the World Cup. Paris Saint-Germain has reportedly approached Bouaddi between January and now, expressing strong interest. Arsenal has also had direct contact with the player's agents, similar to Liverpool.
Bouaddi's career at Lille has seen him become the youngest player to debut in a UEFA club competition in late 2023. The 2025/26 season marked a breakthrough, with Bouaddi making 34 Ligue 1 appearances and contributing to Lille's top-four finish, securing UEFA Champions League qualification.
Internationally, Bouaddi is part of the France Under-21 squad, having chosen to develop within the French youth setup. Despite monitoring by senior manager Didier Deschamps, he was not included in the final 26-man senior France squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. Elite clubs like Real Madrid and Juventus are also reportedly preparing substantial summer bids for the midfielder.
(Source: Yahoo Sports Soccer)
