Arsenal step up Ayyoub Bouaddi pursuit with €70million valuation

Arsenal are stepping up their efforts to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi, the 18-year-old LOSC Lille midfielder whose future has been drawing interest from several major clubs. The move has put his name back at the center of a transfer fight, with Paris Saint-Germain also in the running and Lille holding out for a major fee.

Lille are said to value Bouaddi at around €70million (£60million), a price that sets the terms of any deal Arsenal pursue. Arsenal have been expressing interest for several months, and further talks are expected after the World Cup as the club continues to weigh its options in midfield.

PSG interest in Bouaddi

Paris Saint-Germain are said to prefer a move for Bouaddi to the Parc des Princes, which gives Arsenal a direct rival for the same player. That competition leaves Arsenal working against a club that wants the same outcome and the same midfielder, not a broad market of suitors.

Bouaddi has become one of the names linked with a potential move because Arsenal have been building interest over several months rather than making a one-off approach. The long pursuit suggests Arsenal see him as a target worth sustained effort, while Lille have already signaled the level required to open talks in earnest.

Olivier Letang and Lille

Arsenal are reported to have a good relationship with Lille president Olivier Letang, a detail that could help keep the conversation open after the World Cup. That connection does not remove the price tag, though, and Lille remain in position to control the terms around any sale.

Sandro Tonali remains a target for Arsenal as well, which shows the club is still tracking more than one midfield option while Bouaddi stays in the frame. For supporters, the immediate takeaway is simple: Arsenal have moved from interest to a more active push, but Lille’s valuation and PSG’s presence keep the chase competitive.

After the World Cup, Arsenal are expected to hold further talks to try to sign Bouaddi, and that next round of discussion will show whether the club can turn interest into a concrete bid.