Lille president Olivier Letang has suggested that any club hoping to sign Arsenal target Ayyoub Bouaddi this summer should expect to pay a premium after pointing to the recent blockbuster transfers of Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali.
The 18-year-old midfielder has become one of Europe’s most sought-after young talents following another outstanding campaign with Lille and an impressive breakthrough at the World Cup with Morocco.
Arsenal have tracked Bouaddi’s development for well over a year and continue to admire the teenager as Andrea Berta looks to strengthen Mikel Arteta’s midfield options.
Manchester City, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich have also been heavily linked with the highly-rated youngster in recent weeks.
Speaking to Eurosport, Letang refused to place a specific asking price on Bouaddi but indicated that recent deals involving established Premier League midfielders provide a benchmark.
“I’ve never spoken about a figure,” Letang said. “You have to look at his level.”
The Lille president then referenced the big-money moves completed elsewhere this summer.
“How much were Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali sold for?” he asked. “They’re older and don’t have the same room for improvement.”
Letang believes Bouaddi’s age, experience and enormous potential make him one of the most valuable young midfielders in European football.
Despite being only 18, Bouaddi has already accumulated close to 100 senior appearances for Lille across Ligue 1, the Champions League, the Europa League and the Europa Conference League.
He has also become an established international with Morocco after choosing to represent the Atlas Lions instead of France.
Bouaddi enhanced his growing reputation at the World Cup, where his composed displays against elite opposition attracted even greater interest from Europe’s biggest clubs.
Letang admitted he was not surprised by the teenager’s performances because of the qualities he has witnessed every day at Lille.
“He’s an extraordinary young man,” he said. “His maturity and intelligence are exceptional.”
The Lille president also described Bouaddi as a unique talent who should not be compared to other midfielders despite mentioning legends including Rodri, Sergio Busquets and Lothar Matthaus.
“He is unique,” Letang added.
For Arsenal, Letang’s comments reinforce the scale of the challenge facing any club hoping to secure Bouaddi’s signature.
The Gunners remain interested in the Morocco international, but with Lille appearing determined to use the recent Anderson and Tonali transfers as reference points, any deal is likely to require a substantial financial commitment.
As competition continues to grow, Arsenal may have to decide whether Bouaddi’s immense potential justifies what could become one of the biggest transfer fees ever paid for a teenage midfielder.