Ayyoub Bouaddi 'set' for Premier League transfer as two clubs open talks with Lille

Premier League watchers could be seeing a lot more from Ayyoub Bouaddi after it emerged two clubs are keen on signing the Morocco sensation.

The 18-year-old has made a huge impression in his first World Cup, starring in games against Brazil and Scotland in the United States.

The midfielder has only made five appearances for Morocco after announcing an international allegiance switch from his birth country of France, who he played for at youth level, in May.

Bouaddi, one of Lille's most exciting talents since Eden Hazard, blew fans away with a sensational display in Morocco's opening group stage draw with Brazil and elevated his stock further as a result.

However, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool have been keeping tabs on the wonderkid for nearly a year and could make a move this summer.

The Reds are not the only potential suitors in England though as Arsenal are also admirers.

European champions Paris Saint-Germain are also keen and could add him to a super-team which features many recruits from other French sides.

Speaking on Born N Red's transfer special, Romano stated: "Keep a close eye to the situation of Bouaddi for Liverpool and other clubs. Liverpool had two meetings and there are more clubs involved in that [PSG and Arsenal], so it could be an opportunity to go for him.

“It depends on price, it depends on what Lille want to do, but Liverpool have been scouting the player for a long time. It has been almost one year of monitoring the player closely. Let’s see if they enter this one. I think it could be interesting, not just for Liverpool but for other clubs.”

Bouaddi has been in fine form for Morocco at his first World Cup. Image: Getty

Romano had previously said Juventus had shown interest in Bouaddi and that both Arsenal and Liverpool had held multiple meetings with his entourage since January.

Arsenal look to strengthen their midfield as a priority area as they look to defend their Premier League crown, with Bouaddi a target.

However, former Manchester United and England defender Paul Parker believes that the move would not be the right move for both parties.

He made the point that clubs can get it wrong when they sign players off the back of international tournaments, with Sam Allardyce refraining from doing so off the back of advice from Sir Alex Ferguson.

He told Betarades: "So, you’d look at that young boy Bouaddi and you’d worry about his career, if he was to go to Arsenal. If people were looking at him before, fair play. He’s been kept very quiet, he’s come from nowhere as far as I’m concerned.

"He’s been stuck somewhere in France and hasn’t been outstanding, so you’ve got to be careful because fans will be saying the same thing. There are players who pop up in World Cups or Euros or African Nations and they look like world beaters.

“Amrabat was another one who popped up in the World Cup in Qatar when Morocco reached the semi-finals, and all of a sudden everyone’s going wow, where’s he been? This and that. Manchester United sign him and he was ok but he wasn’t the same as what was written on the can. So you don’t want to get caught up in that kind of World Cup madness because of one performance. Now everyone’s going to be looking at him. I’m sure he knows it.

“He’s going to have to deliver again and show consistency, and you don’t always get that with young players now. If he can produce anywhere near that performance, then obviously there’s a lad there who’s cool, calm and collected, so that’d be very, very interesting.”