Arsenal forced into action as David Ornstein drops €100m transfer bombshell

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Matthew Judge | Editor

Arsenal have learned Manchester City are leading the race for Ayyoub Bouaddi, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, with Lille believed to have increased their asking price to €100million (£85.2m).

Bouaddi has established himself as one of the best young players in the world since emerging through Lille’s youth system in 2023, with the 18-year-old having already made 96 appearances for the Ligue 1 side.

The teen sensation also enhanced his burgeoning reputation at this summer’s World Cup, with the midfielder playing a key role in helping Morocco reach the quarter-final stage.

STATS

Ayyoub Bouaddi

M, DM (C)

Lille

Ayyoub Bouaddi

M, DM (C)

Lille

All Tournaments

2025/26

• 42

  Games

• 0

  Goals

• 1

  Assists

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Such has been Bouaddi’s impressive form for club and country that Premier League champions Arsenal opened talks with Lille over a potential €70m (£60m) deal in June, according to The Times.

However, The Athletic’s Ornstein understands Lille may have upped that valuation in the wake of Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali’s big-money moves to Man City and Tottenham Hotspur respectively.

England star Anderson joined City from Nottingham Forest for €136m (£116m), becoming the most expensive British player in history, while Italy ace Tonali moved to Spurs for €117m (£100m) including add-ons.

Ornstein also claims Enzo Maresca’s City are pushing hard to sign Bouaddi ahead of Arsenal and Manchester United, while Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain are not believed to be in the race.

Should City agree a deal with Lille, Ornstein understands Maresca would want to immediately integrate Bouaddi into his squad, rather than loaning him back to France for the 2026-27 season.

Rodri has previously expressed desire to return to Spain in future

While City have already signed Anderson, Rodri’s future remains up in the air. The Spain international, who has just one year left on his contract, refused to rule out a move to Real Madrid in March.

There has also been speculation surrounding the long-term futures of Nico Gonzalez and Tijjani Reijnders, though the talk remains tentative as there have no concrete reports linking the City pair with suitors.

Aside from Bouaddi, Arsenal are also firm admirers of Bruno Guimaraes, with BBC Sport claiming the Brazil international has told Newcastle United he wants to leave this summer.

The same outlet claims Arsenal expressed a willingness to pay €70m (£60m) to sign Guimaraes in conversations with the 28-year-old’s representatives, but Newcastle insist their captain is not for sale.