Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi has been linked with a move to Manchester City, but while Liverpool also remains keen, John Arne Riise has concerns over his lack of physicality
18:56, 22 Jul 2026
Ayyoub Bouaddi has been linked with a summer move to the Premier League
Ayyoub Bouaddi has been linked with a summer move to the Premier League(Image: Getty Images)
Former Liverpool star John Arne Riise is concerned about how highly rated teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi would perform in the Premier League, following strong interest from English clubs in the Lille midfielder.
Bouaddi, 18, impressed at the FIFA World Cup with Morocco this summer after switching his French allegiance back in May. The deep-lying midfielder has been at Lille since 2021, but was promoted to the senior team in 2023 and has been a key part of the team in the last two seasons.
Manchester City is seen as a frontrunner to sign Bouaddi, but Liverpool retains interest in the youngster, who is being valued at upwards of $100 million. However, Riise believes that Liverpool should be cautious.
Bouaddi may be 6-foot-1, but he's listed at only 163 pounds, and Riise has concerns about the Premier League's physicality. Several stars fail to transition to the demands of English soccer, and Riise believes that Liverpool must be careful.
While Riise acknowledges Bouaddi's talents, it takes much more than raw ability to succeed in England. "He's a talented boy and can offer something different creatively," Riise said, speaking on behalf of BestBettingSites.
"But again, my primary concern with these signings is always the transition from another league into the sheer physicality of the Premier League. I don't know if Liverpool would view him as someone who walks straight into the starting XI or just a valuable squad rotation player."
John Arne Riise has reservations over Ayyoub Bouaddi's ability to transition so young
John Arne Riise has reservations over Ayyoub Bouaddi's ability to transition so young(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool is entering a new era under Andoni Iraola, and he has only signed a two-year contract to begin his tenure. Iraola may prefer a midfielder with Premier League experience, and Liverpool has been linked with his former Bournemouth star, Alex Scott.
Elsewhere, another breakout World Cup star has been linked with a Premier League move. Antonio Nusa impressed for Norway this summer, and Riise believes he could be a good fit for Liverpool.
"He's exactly the kind of player that Liverpool fans would love to see," he added. "With how he goes one-on-one, creates openings, and provides that distinct X-factor on the wing, I think he would be a great fit."
Antonio Nusa has also been linked with a transfer to Liverpool
Antonio Nusa has also been linked with a transfer to Liverpool(Image: (Photo by Chris Arjoon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images))
Liverpool has yet to replace Mohamed Salah, who left on a free at the end of the season after agreeing to waive the final year of his contract. Liverpool has been linked with Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, but next season will also be significant for players entering their second year.
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Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak were the most expensive Liverpool signings last summer, though the latter missed most of the season through injury. Wirtz was mainly injury-free, but appeared to struggle with the physicality.
However, Riise is hopeful that Wirtz can leave last season behind him and flourish for the club. "I hope so. When your team signs players of that caliber, you really want them to be successful. You see how good they were before they arrived, and you want them to adapt quickly," he said.
"You just want them to show what they can do on the pitch. You see flashes of it in some games, but he has to be consistent enough, and we definitely need to see more from him."