Ayyoub Bouaddi: Major obstacle cleared in United’s chase for French wonderkid | OneFootball

Manchester United have received a massive boost in their bid to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi, who is widely regarded as one of the best young central midfielders in Europe.

By now, it is no secret that strengthening the engine room sits firmly at the top of the Red Devils’ agenda this year.

Having neglected the position for years, and only signing two central midfielders; Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte, in the past seven seasons, the drop in United’s midfield levels was inevitable.

Certainly, standards have dropped in the centre of the park, and that now compels United to recruit not just one but two or three quality midfielders to bridge the gap.

With that established, it is no surprise that several top midfielders have been linked, with Lille’s Bouaddi among them.

Bouaddi a United target

Reports suggest that United’s recruitment chief, Christopher Vivell, is an admirer of Bouaddi. There has even been talk that, for €60 million (£52m), the 20-time English champions could prise the 18-year-old away from the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

Yet while INEOS were weighing up the prospect of snatching one of Ligue 1’s finest young talents, a major obstacle loomed in the form of Paris Saint-Germain.

The Champions League winners were also interested in Bouaddi, and given their success and prestige, which is particularly appealing for a Frenchman, they had been packaged as favourites in the race for the teenage sensation.

However, as United plotted to outwit the French giants, they may have been handed a significant boost.

PSG cool Bouaddi interest

Olivier Tallaron of Canal+, in claims also covered by PSG Talk, has revealed an intriguing shift in PSG’s stance.

The journalist reports:

“Contrary to the latest rumours, PSG have no intention of signing Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi.”

If accurate, this represents a major boost to United’s hopes of landing Bouaddi.

PSG out, but Arsenal remain an obstacle

Even so, Arsenal remain in the frame for his services. But Old Trafford faithful would feel this is a transfer their club can win.

With a midfield rebuild expected, United can more easily convince Bouaddi that he would play a central role at the club. At Arsenal, by contrast, the young midfielder would likely find himself behind Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice in the pecking order.

Feature image Christof Koepsel via Getty Images

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