Liverpool Are Admirers Of This Ligue 1 Midfielder: Should Iraola Snap Him Up? | OneFootball

In a recent edition of the Anfield Index podcast, journalist David Lynch stated that Liverpool are admirers of Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. Lynch said,

“He’s definitely a player Liverpool admire and have done before the World Cup.

“I think it’s not been helpful for their interest just how good a World Cup he’s had. I just think it’s pushed the price up even further.

“It has pushed the price into the kind of realms of prices that maybe Manchester City are slightly more willing to pay for a younger player than Liverpool would be.”

Bouaddi’s Impressive Form In French Football

Bouaddi enjoyed a good run of form at the French club in the previous campaign when he put in a run of influential displays for them at the centre of the park. The 18-year-old participated in 42 matches for Lille last season, securing one assist in all competitions.

The talented teenager is currently one of the most gifted central midfielders in Ligue 1. Hence, it is no surprise that Liverpool are eager to get a deal done for him this off-season.

His current contract at Lille will run out in the summer of 2029, which could make it tough for the Reds to sign him on the cheap later this year.

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JULY 09: Achraf Hakimi #2 and Ayyoub Bouaddi #6 of Morocco walk off the pitch at half time during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final match between France and Morocco at Boston Stadium on July 09, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)

Should Liverpool Boss Andoni Iraola Snap Bouaddi Up This Summer?

Bouaddi is a good tackler of the ball and can scan the danger well to earn possession back for his team inside his half. He usually puts his foot through the ball when the opposition are on the offensive and is an accurate distributor of the ball.

The Morocco international can even orchestrate the odd chance for his teammates in the final third. Bouaddi is primarily a box-to-box midfielder but can also serve as a holding midfielder if told to do so. However, there are some concerns over whether he can cope with the physical side and high intensity of the Premier League if the Reds manage to get him on board this off-season.

We can expect Bouaddi to add more quality and depth to Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola’s midfield in the long run. He is capable of challenging for a regular starting spot at the Merseyside club in the coming seasons.

At 18, Bouaddi has got the potential to be a future star in English football as long as he continues to improve with each season. He is already good enough to help the Reds challenge across all fronts in the future. Therefore, Iraola would be wise to go all out to snap him up later this year.