**Liverpool could now sign Lille midfield prodigy Ayyoub Bouaddi without challenge after the news that PSG are no longer pursuing the Moroccan teenager.**
The 19-year-old wowed onlookers at the World Cup and in Ligue this past season, dominating the midfield against names like Bruno Guimaraes and Casemiro in the clash with Brazil in the opening game of the summer tournament.
While he’s yet to reach his 20th birthtday, Bouaddi has all the tools to become an elite operator in the engine room, with Lille placing a prohibitive £69m price tag on his head.
According to [L’Equipe](https://www.lequipe.fr/), PSG are no longer in the running to sign Bouaddi this summer, opening the door to Liverpool for an unimpeded run at signing him this summer.
That said, Arsenal and Manchester City remain admirers of his, although neither has been credited with interest as strong as Liverpool’s, who need more strength in the midfield ranks. Last season saw the Reds regularly dominated in the centre of the pitch, which is now one of Andoni Iraola’s biggest rooms for improvement.
Liverpool must still complete difficult talks with Lille to sign Bouaddi – they do not want to sell
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Lille president Oliver Letang said this week that as much as he wants to keep Bouaddi at the club for another season (which would arguably be better for his development), the Lille chief did admit that “everything remains possible.”
_“Everything remains possible, but in my opinion, he should stay with us for one more season,”_ Letang told [L’Equipe](https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Article/-ayyoub-devrait-rester-une-saison-de-plus-avec-nous-le-president-du-losc-olivier-letang-evoque-l-avenir-d-ayyoub-bouaddi-convoite-par-arsenal-et-manchester-city/1704808).
“_I am convinced that there is a very good chance that he will stay with us. And he would be very happy to do so._
_“We are very calm, like Ayyoub. We will take stock depending on what happens in the coming weeks._
_“After that, you are right, we have to be prepared for all eventualities. If he leaves, we have to be ready.”_
Liverpool signing Bouaddi would create some major selection headaches for Iraola, but that’s the dream scenario for any manager.
That said, there is plenty of time for Bouaddi to develop and there should be no rushing him into the side given his youth if he does make the move to Anfield.