Third club enter race to sign Liverpool and Arsenal target Ayyoub Bouaddi as clever clause proposed
A third Premier League club has entered the race to sign Liverpool and Arsenal target Ayyoub Bouaddi, it has been reported.
Central midfielder Bouaddi is currently on World Cup duty with Morocco, where he has helped his nation reach the last 16 of the tournament.
The reigning Africa Cup of Nations winners defeated Netherlands on penalties on Monday night, with Issa Diop having scored an equaliser in the first minute of second half stoppage time to draw the game at 1-1.
Bouaddi, one of world football's top young prospects, made the decision to switch international allegiance from France weeks before the World Cup began.
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The 18-year-old then put in a starring display in Morocco's opening group stage match against Brazil, and played in their 1-0 win over Scotland before being rested for the 4-2 win over Haiti.
Bouaddi has attracted attention from some of the world's top clubs, with Liverpool and Arsenal both fiercely pursuing his signature.
He is currently under contract at Ligue 1 side Lille until the summer of 2029, meaning the French club are not under significant pressure to sell.
But as long as Bouaddi's strong form continues, it appears inevitable that he will move clubs in the not-so-distant future.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Manchester City are now targeting the signing of the midfielder - and want to propose a transfer clause which could assist their pursuit.
It is claimed that they would allow Bouaddi to return to Lille on loan for the 2026/27 season, which might be favourable for the 18-year-old to continue his development for a further year before stepping up to the Premier League.
City have often utilised a policy of signing young players before then quickly loaning them elsewhere, such as in the cases of Brazil defender Vitor Reis and Norway midfielder Sverre Halseth Nypan last year.
Nypan played 20 Championship matches for Middlesbrough last season before being recalled by City in January.
Bouaddi has addressed Liverpool and Arsenal transfer links
As speculation grew surrounding his future following Morocco's 1-1 draw with Brazil, Bouaddi took the surprise step of publicly speaking out about his future and his next steps.
The 18-year-old commented that his full focus was on the World Cup and that he had no interest in contemplating a move away from Lille at this stage.
He told The Athletic's David Ornstein: "For this moment, I'm only focused on the World Cup. I cannot answer this right now.
"I am really happy to know that some clubs are interested in me, but for now, I'm here focused on the World Cup with Morocco and we will try to give everything to do our best."
Morocco face Canada in the last 16 of the World Cup, after Jesse Marsch's side defeated South Africa 1-0 in their round of 32 match.
Canada are on by far their best run at a World Cup, having failed to win a match or score a point at either of their previous World Cup appearances in 1986 and 2022.
Topics: Liverpool, Arsenal, FIFA World Cup, Transfers
Ryan Smart