UMVA has learned that Arsenal and Liverpool are in a heated pursuit of Lille's highly-touted midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, with both clubs having made significant contact with the youngster's representatives.
The 18-year-old Moroccan sensation has been turning heads in Ligue 1 and his impressive performance against Brazil at the start of the summer's World Cup has only added to the hype surrounding his potential transfer. With his future looking bright, Bouaddi's choice of destination is expected to be a closely watched move.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Arsenal's chief Andrea Berta has had positive talks with Bouaddi's camp, suggesting that the Gunners may have an edge in the pursuit. However, Liverpool has also been in contact with the youngster's agents, and it's clear that both clubs are eager to secure his services.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that Paris Saint-Germain have had Bouaddi on their radar for months, but it seems that signing a midfielder is not their top priority for this summer. This development could prove to be a boost for Arsenal and Liverpool, who are now likely to face less competition for the talented youngster.
The 18-year-old could have his pick of elite clubs, though, after showing such immense potential in his relatively short career so far. It's already easy to imagine Bouaddi fitting in well at Arsenal, giving Mikel Arteta more depth and the option to rest the likes of key players more often.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that expect twists and late entries in the pursuit of Bouaddi, as he is considered the real deal by top clubs. For now, our understanding remains that Arsenal has done the most work on this deal, but there's no full agreement just yet.
