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News
- 22 minutes ago
Man Utd chase record-breaking wonderkid after successful scouting mission
Cameron Smith
- 13 Oct 2025 16:13 BST
- 4 min read
News
Manchester United are reportedly keeping close tabs on Lille youngster Ayyoub Bouaddi as they eye a potential transfer in 2026.
The 18-year-old is already a regular in Lille’s senior team and Man Utd have earmarked him as a key midfield target amid their pursuit of significant reinforcements next year.
Current ETV
Ayyoub Bouaddi
M, DM (C)
Lille
Ayyoub Bouaddi
M, DM (C)
Lille
ETV Range
€31.7M - €38.8M
Ruben Amorim’s side spent a whopping €250.7 million on new signings over the summer, with Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Senne Lammens and Diego Leon all arriving at Old Trafford, but they failed to land a central midfielder, despite heavy transfer speculation.
However, Bouaddi has now been added to the club’s transfer wishlist, according to TEAMtalk correspondent Dean Jones, who claims that Man Utd “definitely like him.”
The teenager became the youngest ever player in European competition when he made his Europa Conference League debut for Lille at just 16 years and 3 days old in 2023, and he has now racked up a total of 63 first-team appearances for the French outfit.
Bouaddi has started six of Lille’s seven Ligue 1 fixtures so far this season and he has firmly established himself as a regular in the middle of the park, despite the fact he has only just turned 18 years old.
The France U21 international has attracted interest from Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool in recent months, although TEAMtalk state that Man Utd scouts were in attendance to watch him in action versus PSG at the start of October as they target a possible deal in 2026.
Man Utd target new central midfielder
In addition to Bouaddi, Man Utd have also been heavily linked with the likes of Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton and Lucien Agoume in recent months, among others.
With Casemiro expected to depart next summer, Man Utd are desperate to sign a new central midfielder and reports speculate that a €70m offer for Wharton is expected to be lodged in 2026.
Meanwhile, the Red Devils have also been tipped to rekindle their interest in Baleba after failing to finalise an agreement with Brighton & Hove Albion before the end of Transfer Deadline Day on 1 September.
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