Transfer Rumours: Major Bouaddi update as Chelsea ‘most likely’ to complete massive signing

Updated: 22 Jun 2026 07:23 BST | 4 min read

Ayyoub Bouaddi, Transfer Rumours — © IMAGO

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Accredited football journalist and editor covering the game since 2006

FootballTransfers runs through the biggest rumours and gossip from 22 June, with Real Madrid, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal all jostling to complete major signings.

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Real Madrid join race to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi

Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi continues to attract major attention thanks to his outstanding performance level in the World Cup for Morocco, with Real Madrid the latest team to join the race for the 18-year-old.

Arsenal, Chelsea and PSG have all been linked with the in-form star, who has been one of the stars of the World Cup.

However, AS reports that Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid now want to sign the teenager, who has been valued at €70 million by his club.

Lille have already commented on the situation, going public that they want a huge fee for the player.

Current ETV

Ayyoub Bouaddi

M, DM (C)

Lille

Ayyoub Bouaddi

M, DM (C)

Lille

ETV Range

€43.2M - €52.8M

President Olivier Letang was asked if €50m would be enough to sell the player and replied: “No, that's not enough. When I say extraordinary it's something extraordinary. Here we are far from the amount that would allow us to let Ayyoub go.

“Bouaddi has extended his contract until 2029, so he has three years left. He is 18 years old and [somewhere] he is sure to be a starter in a team that plays [in] the Champions League.”

Chelsea in pole to sign Maxi Araujo

Chelsea are in position to complete the signing of Sporting CP winger Maximiliano Araujo, according to a report from A Bola in Portugal.

The Uruguay star has a release fee of €80m in his contract in Portugal but is likely to leave for a fee in the region of €60-70m.

He is coming off a campaign with Sporting in which he scored seven goals and created six more for his side across all competitions, while his ability to feature in defence suggests that Xabi Alonso could see him as a direct replacement for Marc Cucurella if he employs a system that requires wing-backs.

Current ETV

Maxi Araújo

D, M (L)

Sporting

Maxi Araújo

D, M (L)

Sporting

ETV Range

€22.6M - €27.6M

Liverpool and Man Utd target Felix Nmecha

Premier League interest in Borussia Dortmund midfield Felix Nmecha continues to build, with Liverpool joining Manchester United in seeking a move for the Germany international midfield star, TeamTalk reports.

Nmecha signed a new contract with BVB earlier this year, but TeamTalk claims that the Premier League clubs are targeting a move worth in the region of €60m.

It is reported that interest has been driven by a desire from the player’s camp to explore other possibilities.

Real Madrid and Barcelona are both interested in a potential deal, too.

Current ETV

Felix Nmecha

M (C)

Dortmund

Felix Nmecha

M (C)

Dortmund

ETV Range

€50.3M - €61.5M

Transfer Rumour Roundup

Tottenham are ready to launch a €100m bid for Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali as Arsenal, Manchester City and Man Utd all follow the case. (Nicolo Schira)

Chelsea are lining up Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz as a potential replacement for Enzo Fernandez should the Argentine sign for Real Madrid. (Football Insider)

Newcastle striker Nick Woltemade is wanted by Atletico Madrid, Dortmund and Aston Villa after a difficult first season at St James’ Park. (AS)

PSG are tracking West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville having been altered to his form at the World Cup. (The Mirror)

Arsenal believe that Declan Rice can help talk England midfielder Morgan Rogers into joining them from Aston Villa. (The Mirror)

Nicolas Jackson is not pushing for a move away from Chelsea this summer. He wants to impress Alonso. (Football Insider)

AC Milan are ready to move for PSG’s Goncalo Ramos if they see Santiago Gimenez sign for Orlando City this summer. (Corriere dello Sport)

Read more about: La Liga Serie A Liga Portugal Bwin Ligue 1 Premier League MLS A. Villa Arsenal Atlético Madrid Barcelona Bayer 04 Brentford C. Palace Chelsea Chelsea Dortmund E. Frankfurt Inter Juventus Lille Liverpool Lyon Man City Man Utd Milan N. Forest Newcastle Orlando PSG Real Madrid Sporting Tottenham West Ham Wolves Ayyoub Bouaddi Crysencio Summerville Enzo Fernandez Felix Nmecha Florian Wirtz Gonçalo Ramos Maxi Araújo Nick Woltemade Sandro Tonali Santiago Giménez