Ayyoub Bouaddi responds to Arsenal transfer links as asking price for summer deal is revealed | OneFootball

The teenager is the talk of the town after impressing on World Cup debut

Ayyoub Bouaddi has responded to the growing transfer interest in him after starring in Morocco's opening World Cup match.

The 18-year-old started in midfield against Brazil on Saturday night and was superb in a 1-1 draw.

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Only the two Brazilian centre-backs had more touches in the match than Bouaddi, who was also key to Morocco's press and made four tackles.

There were already plenty of clubs keeping tabs on Bouaddi after his impressive season for Lille but that is only set to intensify throughout the World Cup.

Arsenal are among those interested in the midfielder and have held initial talks. Lille are said to value Bouaddi at around £70million.

That speculation over his future was put to Bouaddi after the match with Brazil and he admitted he liked to hear there was that interest.

"For the moment I'm only focused on the World Cup, I cannot answer to this right now," he said.

Ayyoub Bouaddi

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Bouaddi signed a new contract at Lille in December last year, extending his deal through to the summer of 2029.

He made his senior debut for the club in 2023 against KI in the Conference League.

That was just three days after Bouaddi's 16th birthday and it made him the youngest player ever to feature in a European club game.

Bouaddi represented France through the age ranks and even captained the U21 side but switched his allegiance to Morocco last month, before then making his debut against Brazil