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Ayyoub Bouaddi breaks silence on Lille future amid Arsenal talks
Cameron Smith
- 11 Dec 2025 13:17 CST
- 3 min read
News
Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi has admitted that “anything can happen” amid significant transfer speculation linking him with a move to the Premier League next year.
The France U21 international has emerged as a top target for Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United ahead of the 2026 January transfer window, with the former opening talks with his representatives in recent days.
Current ETV
Ayyoub Bouaddi
M, DM (C)
Lille
Ayyoub Bouaddi
M, DM (C)
Lille
ETV Range
€28.2M - €34.5M
It has been reported that Arsenal are prepared to submit a €45 million bid for the 18-year-old next month, although Lille are unlikely to sanction a mid-season sale and are expected to demand a fee in excess of €50m.
Bouaddi, who signed a contract extension at his boyhood club last weekend, has now opened the door to a transfer next summer, although he remains focused on performing for Lille until the end of the 2025-26 campaign.
“I have extended until 2029 and next year is still far away,” the Frenchman admitted during an in-depth interview with L’Equipe.
“I am focused on this season and we have things to fight for. As I also said to the president [Olivier Letang], at the end of the season, there will be a choice to be made, and anything can happen. We don’t know what will happen.”
Ayyoub Bouaddi to leave Lille?
While Bouaddi has refused to fuel rumours of an exit, his comments suggest that a transfer could be on the cards next year and reports indicate that his recent contract extension has been agreed in order to maximise the fee Lille are able to earn in 2026.
The Frenchman has already racked up 72 senior appearances for Lille since his debut two years ago and it’s reported that Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd are expected to battle for his signature next year.
Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain have also been linked with a move and are likely to join the race to sign him too.
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