Liverpool sent warning over move for World Cup midfielder

Liverpool sent warning over move for World Cup midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi Transfer Latest as Liverpool Monitor Lille Midfielder Liverpool have been watching Ayyoub Bouaddi for some time. That part is clear. The 18-year-old Lille midfielder was already regarded as one of Ligue 1’s standout young prospects, and his displays for Morocco at the World Cup have pushed him into a different bracket altogether. This is now a proper elite-level chase. Liverpool are in it, and so are Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Manchester City. For the moment, City look furthest down the road, with talks reportedly moving around a deal worth as much as €100 million. That tells you the market view of the player. Bouaddi is a defensive midfielder with composure, athleticism and the sort of profile clubs pay heavily for. Liverpool scouts are understood to have attended a number of Lille’s European games across the season, which suggests the interest is longstanding rather than reactive. Lille stance on Bouaddi future Lille president Olivier Létang has now made the club’s position plain enough. He said [via GFFN ]: “We have seen each other since his return from the World Cup. I can’t say what was said. Everything is possible, but my opinion is that he should stay with us another season. My conviction is that there is a strong chance that he stays with us and he would be very happy to do so.” Photo: IMAGO That is not a hands-off warning. It is a signal. Lille are open to the reality of interest, but they want control over the timing. €100m price and delayed deal options Létang has also hinted that any fee would go beyond €100m. He said: “How to answer the question… I spoke, mentioned the subject, gave a figure? No, never.” He then added: “You have to look at his level. How many players like Elliott Anderson or Sandro Tonali, who are much older, but with no room for progress, so you have an idea of the value of Ayyoub, who has a unique profile at only 18 years old.” The sticking point may be the structure. Lille want either a one-year loan back for 2026/27 or a pre-agreement that pushes the move to 2027/28. For Liverpool, that turns Bouaddi from a straight transfer battle into a negotiation over patience, timing and leverage.