Seventy-one seconds were enough for Ayyoub Bouaddi to make his mark at the World Cup and ignite the interest of European giants, including Arsenal, which is determined to win the fierce race for the Moroccan prodigy. At just 18 years old, Bouaddi is already being compared to the phenomenon Kylian Mbappé, and his market value is soaring to £70 million at a time when Real Madrid, PSG, and Bayern Munich are also vying for his signature.
The young central midfielder from Lille was a key player in Morocco’s victory against Scotland, elegantly initiating the play that led to the only goal of the match. Under intense pressure from Scott McTominay, Bouaddi found Achraf Hakimi with a pinpoint pass, and the Moroccan captain set up Ismael Saibari, who made no mistake. This moment not only decided the outcome but also highlighted Bouaddi’s talent and early maturity, as he has already accumulated 42 appearances for Lille’s first team and is beginning to establish himself as one of the most promising midfielders in world football.
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The interest from Arsenal is not coincidental. The London club, with its sights set on reclaiming the English title, knows it needs fresh blood and energy in midfield. Bouaddi, who recently chose to represent Morocco over France, impressed during the draw against Brazil, only his third senior international match, against a team managed by Carlo Ancelotti. The young player demonstrated personality, unusual physical ability (covering nearly 12 km in suffocating conditions), and accuracy in passing — he completed 60 passes from 87 touches against Brazil, a record of great efficiency. His aptitude for hard tackles and the courage to carry the ball forward make him a complete “box-to-box” midfielder, something rare for his age group.
The more subdued performance against Scotland did not go unnoticed, but there was a reason for it: Steve Clarke, the Scottish coach, admitted before the match that “Bouaddi caught everyone’s attention in the first game (against Brazil). Now, our task is to ensure he doesn’t shine again in the second.” The Scots set up a crowded midfield and tightly marked the Moroccan, with McTominay, John McGinn, and Lewis Ferguson watching his every move. Despite being less involved, Bouaddi displayed tactical intelligence and was crucial in linking the Moroccan play with first-time passes, in addition to making a crucial tackle on Ben Gannon-Doak, launching a counter-attack in the final minutes.
Recognition of his potential goes far beyond the press. Olivier Giroud, forward for AC Milan and also a reference for Lille, believes that Bouaddi can reach the level of Mbappé, despite not having scored any senior goals yet: “His ceiling is as high as Mbappé’s,” he recently stated, highlighting that the young player is the subject of jokes in the Lille dressing room due to his still imprecise finishing. The interest from Arsenal, PSG, and Real Madrid has already forced Lille to set a record price for the transfer, which could exceed the amount Chelsea paid for Romeo Lavia.
Bouaddi’s decision to switch from the French national team to the Moroccan one has also had repercussions. Zinedine Zidane tried to persuade him to stay with the French project, but the young player did not hesitate to follow his family roots and join the “eleven stars.” This choice demonstrates maturity and personality, traits that only increase his market value.
With pre-season approaching and Arsenal determined to secure a significant reinforcement for their midfield, Bouaddi is preparing to make the definitive leap. If Mikel Arteta can secure the Moroccan, he will be investing not only in a current talent but also in a potential leader for the next decade. The coming days promise to be decisive, with negotiations speeding up and anticipation growing among “gunners” fans. One thing is certain: whoever invests in Bouaddi will not just be signing a player but securing a future global reference.
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