Juni Calafat tracking Bouaddi as Giroud says he ‘will play’ for Real Madrid next year | OneFootball

Ayyoub Bouaddi, 18, has been one of the early revelations of the World Cup, running Morocco’s midfield in the draw with Brazil and taking player of the match honours. Real Madrid are among the clubs alerted, with Juni Calafat understood to have been on his trail for months.

The Lille midfielder has made 42 appearances this season and has shared a dressing room with Olivier Giroud. “He will play for Real Madrid next year,” said Giroud, the second-highest scorer in France’s history, speaking to the BBC.

Born in France and developed there, Bouaddi chose to represent Morocco after time in Les Bleus’ youth ranks. “I have been impressed by his maturity and that of his entourage. He is calm and self-assured, just being himself. It is a gift to have him in the team and I am sure Morocco are very happy with him, because he is really good.”

Bouaddi is a positional midfielder, technically tidy on the ball. “My friends tell me he is a mix of Patrick Vieira and Sergio Busquets. He is not yet as good technically as Busquets, but he has some of his qualities. Compared with Vieira, he has less physicality, but he will grow and become more powerful,” added Giroud, who has extended his deal with the French club by one year.

The 2018 World Cup winner expects it to be hard for Lille to keep him, valuing Bouaddi at “60 or 70 million euros”. “He is very complete and versatile, he is everywhere, he reminds me of Kanté. The only thing he must improve is finishing, being more aggressive in front of goal,” said the 39-year-old forward.

Source: Superdeporte