Arsenal ROCKED as Man Utd eye Viktor Gyokeres revenge

Cameron Smith

8 Dec 2025 11:37 GMT
4 min read

Manchester United are reportedly among the clubs to have joined Arsenal in the race to sign Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi next year.

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The France U21 international is one of the most sought-after players in world football and he is widely expected to leave his boyhood club in 2026, despite agreeing a new contract over the weekend.

Current ETV

Ayyoub Bouaddi

M, DM (C)

Lille

Ayyoub Bouaddi

M, DM (C)

Lille

ETV Range

€28.2M - €34.5M

Bouaddi has signed fresh terms until 2029, however multiple elite clubs are determined to finalise a deal for his signature and he has been tipped to secure a blockbuster transfer next summer.

RMC Sport have confirmed that Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is in contact with Bouaddi’s representatives and the Gunners have even prepared a €45 million offer ahead of the upcoming January transfer window.

However, Lille are set to reject any offers this winter in favour of retaining his services until after the conclusion of the 2025/26 season.

The Ligue 1 club believe Bouaddi is worth over €50 million and while Arsenal have registered significant interest in his services, they will face major competition in the race to sign him next year.

Ayyoub Bouaddi to Man Utd?

Bouaddi, 18, has already racked up a whopping 72 senior appearances for Lille and he has been a regular starter for the club since the beginning of last season.

The Frenchman’s form has attracted the attention of multiple top European clubs and Foot Mercato claim that Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Juventus, Man Utd, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are all interested in signing him next year, in addition to Arsenal.

Man Utd have earmarked Bouaddi as a possible alternative to fellow targets Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton amid their continued pursuit of a new central midfielder.

Ruben Amorim is desperate to land a long-term replacement for Casemiro and he could look to spoil Arsenal’s bid to sign Bouaddi just months after the Gunners beat him to Viktor Gyokeres’ signature.

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