Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi has signed a new contract with the club until 2029, ending short-term speculation around his future and shifting the dynamics of a transfer race that had begun to build around him.
The 18-year-old was linked to Arsenal and Chelsea earlier in the day, following reports that Lille wanted to secure an extension to strengthen their position in the summer window.
The reports claimed that Lille were seeking to protect Bouaddi’s value and push any eventual deal beyond €50 million, with suggestions that internal estimates could reach double that fee.
The new deal was announced just before Lille’s Ligue 1 match against Marseille, signalling an intent to close the issue before a pivotal fixture.
𝑨𝒚𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒃 𝑩𝒐𝒖𝒂𝒅𝒅𝒊 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒂𝒖 𝑳𝑶𝑺𝑪 ✍️
Le LOSC est aujourd’hui fier d’annoncer la prolongation de deux saisons du contrat d’Ayyoub Bouaddi (18 ans), un enfant du Domaine de Luchin. Le milieu de terrain international Espoirs français est désormais lié à son… pic.twitter.com/TbW0tItRtm
— LOSC (@losclive) December 5, 2025
Bouaddi has developed rapidly since breaking through last year and has become a central part of Bruno Genesio’s midfield structure.
He made headlines when he helped Lille defeat Real Madrid in the Champions League on his 17th birthday, a performance that accelerated his rise and attracted wider European attention.
He has since amassed substantial first-team experience and remains viewed internally as a long-term cornerstone of the club’s project.
Arsenal and Chelsea were reported to be exploring the possibility of an early move, and the timing of the extension appears designed to deter bids in January rather than block summer negotiations.
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Sources around Lille believe the club expect significant offers at the end of the season and wanted to enter that scenario with full leverage.
Paris Saint-Germain had been linked in previous reporting, but those close to the player have denied conversations with the Ligue 1 champions.
Bouaddi’s age, versatility and Champions League exposure have made him one of the highest-valued young midfielders in France, and Lille see a substantial market forming around his profile.
President Olivier Letang said Bouaddi embodied the qualities Lille want to develop and praised his maturity.
The extension buys Lille time in a season where performance, player sales and competitive targets all intersect.
It also sets up a summer in which Arsenal and Chelsea may need to make decisive bids if they intend to secure a midfielder who has already shown he can perform against elite European opposition.
For now, Lille have achieved what they wanted: control over the next stage of Bouaddi’s career and a stronger position in a market that is expected to escalate quickly.