Arsenal Target Lille Midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi Amid 2029 Contract Expiry

Arsenal Football Club are monitoring Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi this summer, with the 18‑year‑old Moroccan international having made 42 appearances for LOSC Lille last season and providing one assist. He also featured for Morocco in the 2026 FIFA World Cup and his contract runs until summer 2029, potentially complicating a low‑cost move.

Bouaddi loves a tackle and can sense danger to make crucial interceptions. Standing at 1.85 m, he uses his strong frame to clear danger and is a tidy passer from midfield.

Mikel Arteta could add more bite and steel to his midfield with Bouaddi. The midfielder has the potential to compete for a regular starting place at the North London club in the coming years. Only time will tell whether he can adapt to the high intensity of the Premier League.

Bouaddi delivered a string of impressive displays in the heart of Lille’s midfield last campaign. He recorded one assist in all competitions but did not score.

He featured in LOSC Lille’s UEFA Champions League 2024/25 group‑stage match against Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara in Bologna, Italy on 27 November 2024. The image was captured by Alessandro Sabattini.

At 18, Bouaddi is regarded as one of the most talented young central midfielders in Ligue 1. He is seen as a star in the making with a ceiling to become world‑class.

Arsenal would be wise to secure him before the summer transfer window ends.