Ayyoub Bouaddi is set to be sold this summer with Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool among the teams interested, but Lille are hoping for a one-year loan-back or pre-agreement to try and keep the player with them for an extra year.
GMS understands Lille want a minimum of €80m for the Moroccan midfielder, but that price could rise to €100m+ for clubs seeking an immediate sale. Bouaddi has also been tracked by PSG, but the French champions are currently prioritising adding an attacker, with Yan Diomande their top priority.
Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are all interested in the 18-year-old, who has impressed so far at the World Cup, including in Morocco's opening draw with Brazil.
Premier League Clubs Keen on Bouaddi Deal
Bouaddivia Reuters
GMS understands Manchester City are one of Bouaddi's most active suitors, but Lille anticipate several approaches after the World Cup. City want to add another midfielder, even after the £116m arrival of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest.
Arsenal are also intent on signing a new midfielder. Along with Bouaddi, Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Alex Scott are all on their radar.
Manchester United will sign at least one more midfielder following the arrival of Ederson from Atalanta. The club are in talks with West Ham over Mateus Fernandes, and face competition from Spurs. Scott and Brighton's Carlos Baleba are two other options.
And Liverpool could reinforce in central midfield, especially if Curtis Jones or Alexis Mac Allister are sold. The former has drawn interest from Inter and Nottingham Forest, but clubs must meet a £40m asking price.
Chelsea are another Premier League club assessing the midfield market and have seen a £8m bid rejected for Sunderland's Granit Xhaka. And Spurs want to sign two midfielders, with West Ham's Fernandes and Tonali two active deals they are working on.
Lille Want Bouaddi on Loan Next Year if Sale Completed
Ayyoub Bouaddi in action for Lille vs Borussia Dortmundvia Reuters
Bouaddi has already made 96 appearances for Lille across three seasons having come through the club's Academy.
In January 2026, he became the youngest player to make 50 Ligue 1 appearances for Lille, breaking a record previously held by Eden Hazard.
Lille are aware he will be difficult to keep hold of, but are hoping to strike a deal seeing the teenager stay for one more year.