Overview
- Reports on Friday say Liverpool are in active talks to sign 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi with Arsenal and Manchester City also linked to the transfer race.
- Lille hold leverage because Bouaddi is under contract until 2029 and are said to want close to £100m for an immediate move.
- Several clubs would accept a loan-back or pre-agreement to bridge the price gap and Liverpool have indicated they would agree to that condition to complete a deal.
- Bouaddi started five of Morocco’s six World Cup matches but produced a subdued quarter-final display against France with FotMob data showing limited attacking and defensive contributions.
- A transfer would give new Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola a potential replacement for Curtis Jones and shape summer squad planning depending on whether the move is immediate or deferred.