Real Madrid to face heavy competition if they move for 18-year-old World Cup breakout star | OneFootball

Despite already having signed four new players this summer, including a midfielder in Bernardo Silva, it does look like Real Madrid are on the lookout for another player in that position.

Among the many midfield names the club have been linked with, one of them is Morocco’s breakout star Ayyoub Bouaddi, who has taken the World Cup by storm.

The 18-year-old is not a priority for Jose Mourinho, but it does look like Los Blancos are continuing to track him and could now face some serious competition if they decide to move.

According to AS, the 18-year-old Lille midfielder has attracted interest from several major European clubs after impressing with Morocco.

PSG, Barcelona, Real Madrid and a large part of the Premier League are all following him. This is the kind of market Madrid know too well.

Man in demand. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

When a teenager performs on the biggest stage, the price rises quickly, the competition becomes aggressive and the selling club gains control.

Bouaddi is not a hidden talent anymore. His World Cup has turned him into one of the most watched young midfielders in Europe.

Lille will not sell cheaply

The biggest obstacle is the price. Lille value Bouaddi at around €80 million and are not in a hurry to sell.

That is not surprising. The French club have built a strong reputation for selling high, with names such as Eden Hazard, Victor Osimhen, Nicolas Pepe, Gabriel Magalhaes, Sven Botman, Leny Yoro and Carlos Baleba all moving for significant fees.

Bouaddi renewed his contract until 2029, which gives Lille a strong negotiating position. They also have Champions League football in the 2026-27 season, meaning they could wait another year and try to increase his value even more.

An ideal midfield profile who is still raw

Impressing at the World Cup. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Bouaddi has the age, technical profile and international breakthrough that fit Madrid’s long-term recruitment model.

However, the club also have to be careful because the current squad is already overloaded, especially in midfield.

Before any move for a player like Bouaddi, Madrid would need clarity on names such as Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni.

Still, the interest makes sense. Bouaddi could become a major player in the next cycle, and Madrid do not like arriving late when elite young talent is available.

The question is whether they see him as an €80 million priority right now. They will have to find the answer soon, though.

It increasingly looks like most top clubs will enter the Bouaddi race, and it remains to be seen whether he stays at Lille or moves elsewhere ahead of the upcoming season.