Arsenal and Chelsea suffer Ayyoub Bouaddi blow as rival club make tempting proposal

Updated: 27 Jun 2026 09:09 BST | 5 min read

Ayyoub Bouaddi Mikel Arteta Xabi Alonso — © IMAGO

Matthew Judge | Editor

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Arsenal and Chelsea have learned Manchester City have joined the race for Ayyoub Bouaddi by proposing to sign the Lille star in 2027, according to transfers specialist Fabrizio Romano.

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Bouaddi has developed a reputation as one of the best young players in the world following his emergence through Lille’s youth system in 2023, with the 18-year-old having already made 96 appearances for the club.

The central midfielder has also earned rave reviews for his performances for Morocco at the World Cup, particularly in his nation’s 1-1 draw with Brazil on Saturday, 13 June.

STATS

Ayyoub Bouaddi

M, DM (C)

Lille

Ayyoub Bouaddi

M, DM (C)

Lille

42

Games
0

Goals
1

Assists

Such has been Bouaddi’s impressive form for club and country that The Times understands Arsenal have opened talks with Lille over a potential deal, while talkSPORT claims Chelsea are also keen on his signature.

talkSPORT understands Bouaddi is currently valued at between €60million and €70m (£51.7m to £60.3m), though Ligue 1 side Lille have insisted they are not actively looking to sell this summer.

However, according to transfers guru Romano, Man City have now made a tempting proposal which would allow Lille to keep hold of Bouaddi for another season ahead of a possible 2027 transfer.

In a video on his YouTube channel, Italian Romano said: “Manchester City have genuine interest in Bouaddi. He is one of the players being considered by Manchester City, eventually for [the] summer [of] 2027.

“So the idea of Manchester City, the starting idea then let’s see how conversations develop, could be [to] try to go for the player in [the] summer of 2027. So Manchester City have an interest in Bouaddi.”

Man City close to signing Anderson as Maresca appointment edges closer

Widespread reports have indicated City are keen to strengthen their midfield this summer, with Elliot Anderson on the verge of completing a club-record €134m (£116m) move from Nottingham Forest.

Anderson has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League after helping Forest clinch top-flight survival last season, while he is a key fixture of the England side who are competing at this summer’s World Cup.

STATS

Elliot Anderson

M, DM (C)

N. Forest

Elliot Anderson

M, DM (C)

N. Forest

50

Games
4

Goals
5

Assists

BBC Sport understands City also hold an interest in landing Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, though the club face stiff competition from Arsenal for the Italy international, who is valued at €115m (£100m).

City are also closing in on the appointment of Enzo Maresca as their new head coach after a compensation package was agreed with Chelsea, according to BBC Sport.

The same publication claims Maresca, who was sacked by Chelsea in January, is set to sign a three-year contract in order to become Pep Guardiola’s replacement at the Etihad Stadium.

Italian Maresca acted as Guardiola’s assistant at Man City between 2022 and 2023 before becoming Leicester City boss in June 2023.

He guided the Foxes to promotion to the Premier League in his one and only season at the King Power Stadium before joining Chelsea in June 2024.

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