ไทย
English
中國人
Lille president Olivier Létang has issued a stark warning to clubs eyeing 18-year-old prodigy Ayyoub Bouaddi, pointing to the transfer fees paid for Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali as a reference point for the youngster's market value.
The Moroccan midfielder has emerged as one of the standout performers of the 2026 World Cup, having only made his senior international bow in a pre-tournament friendly against Madagascar before going on to shine as his nation advanced to the quarterfinals.
It comes as little surprise that the teenager has attracted considerable transfer speculation since the tournament kicked off, with Manchester United, Arsenal, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain among those reportedly tracking him. However, landing Bouaddi will come at a steep price.
"Many clubs are interested in him, but very few can afford him right now," Létang told Eurosport. "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. He's focused on continuing to develop and winning everything."
When pressed on whether a specific asking price had been set for Bouaddi, he continued: "Have I spoken, brought up the subject, given a figure? No, never.
"You have to look at his level. How much have players like Anderson or 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."
Why Is Ayyoub Bouaddi Valued So Highly?
By invoking Manchester City's purchase of Anderson and Tottenham Hotspur's deal for Tonali — costing $155 million and $133.6 million respectively — Lille's president has made his position crystal clear. Any club wishing to prise Bouaddi away this summer will need to produce a colossal transfer fee.
But does the youngster truly measure up to those names? Quite possibly.
Bouaddi is five years Anderson's junior and eight years younger than Tonali, yet already carries impressive experience for his age. His first World Cup has elevated his profile on the global stage, though those in France have long been familiar with his extraordinary talent.
The defensive midfielder has racked up 96 appearances across three seasons for Lille, becoming the club's youngest-ever player and the youngest to feature in UEFA competition when he appeared in the Conference League just days after turning 16 in October 2023.
Bouaddi first captured widespread attention with a stunning performance in Lille's stunning 1–0 victory over Real Madrid in the 2024–25 Champions League, and has continued to grow ever since. While not a prolific scorer, his deep tactical understanding is complemented by remarkable positional awareness and technical ability for someone so young.
Though still far from the finished product, he has the makings of one of the world's elite midfielders over the coming decade, provided he maintains his current upward trajectory.
Which Clubs Can Afford Ayyoub Bouaddi?
Having already committed a huge outlay on Anderson, Manchester City may struggle to justify spending another enormous sum on a comparable midfield profile, though a host of other interested parties could meet Bouaddi's price tag.
Premier League champions Arsenal are among the frontrunners, with boss Mikel Arteta expected to target midfield reinforcements this summer. Their long-standing rivals Manchester United could also meet Lille's valuation and are anticipated to bring in a high-profile midfielder, having already secured a surprisingly affordable deal for Atalanta's Éderson.
Liverpool, likewise seeking midfield additions, have been linked with interest and retain financial flexibility despite their record expenditure last summer. Chelsea remain perennial pursuers of young talent but must exercise caution with their budget following their failure to qualify for the Champions League.
Barcelona are focused on securing Julián Alvarez, and combined with the signing of Anthony Gordon, that will consume much of their available funds — though Real Madrid could turn to Bouaddi as a solution to their underperforming midfield.
PSG have a habit of snapping up Ligue 1's finest talents, and Bouaddi would find it hard to turn down the prospect of joining the two-time European champions. Finances are certainly no concern for the Parisian club.