Man United scouts closely monitor Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi amid growing European interest | OneFootball

At just 18 years old, Ayyoub Bouaddi already plays with the calm and confidence of a seasoned midfielder. The Lille starlet, who made his debut at 16, continues to rise rapidly in Ligue 1 and has drawn the attention of scouts from across Europe. Manchester United, in particular, have taken a close interest.

Long-term United interest

Manchester United’s awareness of Bouaddi stretches back a few years. The teenager began catching attention soon after his record-breaking debut in October 2023, when he became the youngest ever player to feature in a European club competition at 16 years and 3 days old.

By early 2024, his maturity and poise in Ligue 1 had scouts across the continent taking notice. English outlets at the time didn’t name United directly, but reports from France and Italy mentioned Premier League scouts regularly attending Lille matches. Publications such as FourFourTwo later noted that “most of Europe’s elite clubs” had watched Bouaddi several times that season, inevitably including Manchester United’s recruitment staff.

Through the latter half of 2024, coverage of United’s interest grew. Transfer insider Ekrem Konur reported that several Premier League heavyweights were scouting Bouaddi, and summaries of his updates later listed Manchester United, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and RB Leipzig among those impressed. Although United’s presence remained limited to observation, the consistent mentions through 2024 laid the groundwork for the more serious attention he’s receiving in 2025.

United’s scouts in attendance

By this season, United’s interest has evolved from distant curiosity to active monitoring. Club scouts have attended numerous Lille fixtures, including the recent clash with Paris Saint-Germain, to evaluate Ayyoub Bouaddi in person. Those present were said to be impressed by his composure and tactical discipline against elite opposition, reinforcing the belief that he’s capable of adapting to Premier League tempo.

Christopher Vivell, United’s Director of Recruitment, has been heavily involved in assessing Bouaddi’s progress. Known for his success in identifying emerging stars at RB Leipzig and Chelsea, Vivell has been impressed by Bouaddi’s mix of maturity, game intelligence, and technical precision. He reportedly views him as a player who could develop into a first-team regular at Old Trafford within a few years.

A long list of admirers

Bouaddi’s development hasn’t gone unnoticed elsewhere. Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City, Aston Villa and Brighton are all said to be tracking him, while Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig are monitoring him closely on the continent.

For a player who only turned 18 this year, that’s remarkable attention. Yet those who have followed his progress since his debut understand why. Bouaddi combines composure with intelligence, reads the game with precision, and dictates tempo like a player twice his age.

“We no longer need to hold him back”

Lille manager Bruno Génésio recently highlighted just how far Bouaddi has come. Speaking to Mountakhab.net on 28 October 2025, Génésio said:

He went on to confirm that Bouaddi is no longer being managed cautiously:

Génésio finished with open admiration for his young midfielder:

That public show of faith from his manager reinforces what many scouts have already concluded, Bouaddi isn’t just talented, he’s ready.

The numbers behind Bouaddi’s rise

Ayyoub Bouaddi’s growth isn’t just visible on the pitch, it’s backed up by the data. Comparing his 2024/25 season, when he was 17, to this campaign at 18, the numbers show a player evolving in all the right ways.

His duel success rate has climbed from 59.9 % to 65.9 %, mirroring Génésio’s comments about his improved strength. He’s maintaining an elite possession-recovery rate of 92.3 %, showing intelligence in when to press and when to hold shape.

The real leap has come with the ball at his feet. His progressive carries have almost doubled from 36.0 to 64.6 percentiles, as he’s become more confident driving forward. He’s attempting fewer but riskier forward passes, reflected in a lower forward-pass % (83.9 down to 40.5), but that simply shows greater ambition.

Meanwhile, his progressive passes have risen from 9.0 to 13.3, and his key-pass percentile has stayed around 28, proving he’s balancing creativity with control.

Visually, the contrast is clear. The 2024/25 version of Bouaddi (in pink) was tidy and disciplined, while the 2025/26 version (in blue) is powerful, expressive and assertive.

The wider recognition

Ayyoub Bouaddi’s rise hasn’t just been noticed by scouts, analysts are already labelling him as one of Europe’s most exciting young midfielders. SCOUTED50 2025/26 ranked him #2 on their annual list of the best emerging players in world football, describing him as “the next big thing in French football.”

The report notes how Bouaddi combines balance and control under pressure with sharp intelligence off the ball:

It also highlights his growing physicality, adding that his “frame can handle the rigours of senior football already” and that he “takes care of the details which bolt onto the basics of a high-level player with a high-value profile.”

That external recognition only reinforces what Manchester United’s scouts have seen first-hand — a young midfielder already capable of controlling games against top-level opposition.

Contract situation and potential price

Ayyoub Bouaddi’s contract with Lille runs until 2027, but questions remain over his willingness to extend. If he shows no intention of signing a new deal, Lille could face a dilemma similar to the one that surrounded Leny Yoro, who joined Manchester United earlier this year despite heavy competition from Liverpool and Real Madrid.

United’s success in landing Leny Yoro has strengthened their reputation in France and could yet help them again. Ayyoub Bouaddi and Yoro were teammates at Lille, and club insiders believe that relationship could prove important if United decide to make their move. With Yoro already settled at Old Trafford, he could be relied upon to help convince Bouaddi that Manchester is the right next step, just as he once made the same leap himself.

Reports suggest Bouaddi could be available for around £40 million, though Lille are expected to push for more given his age, previous sales and performances.

Building a culture that attracts talent

One of the most striking things about Manchester United this season has been the atmosphere inside the dressing room. Despite a turbulent start to the campaign, the mood around Carrington has been described as upbeat, tight-knit, and optimistic, something that reflects both the leadership structure and Rúben Amorim’s growing influence on the squad.

Amorim has earned genuine respect from the players. His man-management style has been praised privately for its balance between authority and empathy, and that sentiment has been echoed publicly too. Club captain Bruno Fernandes recently backed the Portuguese coach, telling Sky Sports:

It’s a statement that matches the mood inside the camp. Amorim has built a sense of collaboration rather than hierarchy, empowering players to take ownership of the dressing room. Ahead of United’s trip to Brighton in late October, he discussed the different voices that shape the group’s culture.

That mutual respect is evident across the squad. After a tough run of fixtures earlier in the season, Amorim remarked, “I know the players want to do their best, and I know they don’t want to change the coach.” It was a short comment, but it summed up the trust and unity within the group, a stark contrast to the turbulence of recent years.

Reports in early October backed that up, suggesting the dressing room remains “united in support of Amorim” and fully behind his long-term plan. Even during uneven spells on the pitch, the belief in the project has not wavered.

A United dressing room

That sense of togetherness extends beyond Amorim’s leadership. United have leaned on player relationships to help new arrivals settle. Andre Onana, before leaving for Trabzonspor, played a key role in recruitment conversations, speaking directly with Carlos Baleba and Bryan Mbeumo about joining the club after sharing the pitch with them for Cameroon. Baleba ultimately stayed put, but Mbeumo signed and has since become one of the squad’s most engaging characters.

Mbeumo described himself in typically understated fashion shortly after arriving:

Those who work around the first team say that’s exactly how he’s settled in. He’s grown increasingly comfortable within the squad, often seen sharing laughs with Amad Diallo and other young players, and his energy has been a subtle but positive influence around Carrington.

Diogo Dalot has also emerged as a vital figure in maintaining the dressing-room spirit. He was praised by Benjamin Šeško for helping him adapt to life in Manchester, and inside the club Dalot is viewed as a connector between Amorim’s staff and the younger players. Alongside Maguire, Shaw, and Martínez, he forms part of a new leadership core that has been instrumental in stabilising the dressing-room atmosphere.

Behind closed doors, the feeling remains positive. The club’s emphasis on openness and shared responsibility has created a tighter, more self-sufficient group. For potential signings like Ayyoub Bouaddi, that environment could be one of United’s biggest selling points: a young, ambitious squad guided by a coach they respect, a captain who believes in the project, and a dressing room that feels genuinely united again.

Why Bouaddi fits United’s project

Bouaddi’s technical quality, vision, and growing physicality make him an ideal fit for Manchester United’s long-term recruitment plan. Vivell and the club’s scouting department have been clear about prioritising players who can develop into key figures rather than short-term fixes.

Those who have watched Bouaddi closely believe he has the temperament to thrive at Old Trafford, calm under pressure, brave on the ball, and capable of knitting play together from deep. Vivell is reportedly convinced that, under Erik ten Hag, Bouaddi could evolve into a midfielder capable of running United’s game for years to come.

A star on the rise

From a 16-year-old debutant to a key figure in Lille’s midfield, Bouaddi’s progression has been steady but relentless. Génésio’s recent words, and the numbers that back them up, show he’s no longer a prospect to be managed carefully but a player ready for the next level.

With Manchester United’s scouts following his every step, and former teammate Yoro already thriving in Manchester, Ayyoub Bouaddi could soon be tempted to follow a familiar path from northern France to Old Trafford, but it won’t be easy to pry him away from France. Not at least without a fight.