Arsenal have seen a €60m offer to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille rejected outright by the French club.
Africa Foot report that Arsenal’s pursuit of the 18-year-old has been quickly blocked by Lille, despite the sums on offer.
Arsenal offer €60m
According to their information, Arsenal are determined to make a big splash in the summer transfer window and have identified Ayyoub Bouaddi as one of their top priorities.
They are impressed by the ‘meteoric’ rise of the 18-year-old midfielder and have now decided to take action. That’s seen them submit a ‘substantial’ offer of €60m for the Moroccan. He’s been made one of their top priorities for this summer.
According to Africa Foot’s information, Arsenal scouts have been monitoring the young talent for several months. Sport Witness have covered several reports about Arsenal’s interest over the last year.
His performances for Lille, his maturity on the pitch and his ‘immense potential’ have convinced Arsenal’s sporting directors to make him a ‘strategic target’ for the future.
However, despite a substantial offer of €60m on the table, Lille are not interested. They have refused to let him leave. The French side believe that their young star is worth more on the current market and are sticking to a €70m asking price.
Arsenal blow
The refusal is a real blow for Arsenal, who were hoping to gain a decisive advantage over increasingly fierce competition.
Several European giants are closely monitoring the youngster’s situation, including Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. Only Arsenal have made a bid as yet, though.
At just 18-years-old, Ayyoub Bouaddi is seen as one of the emerging talents of his generation. Arsenal remain attentive to his development but will have to increase their offer to convince Lille to sell at this point.
The battle for his signature is far from over, to say the least, but Arsenal’s first attempt to get him has been pushed back by Lille.