Liverpool and Arsenal are prepared to accept a loan-back arrangement as part of any deal for Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, as the Premier League clubs edge closer to a potential £100 million transfer for the Morocco international, according to reports from Football Insider.
Bouaddi, 18, became one of the standout performers at FIFA World Cup 2026, starting five matches as Morocco reached the quarter-finals before falling to France. His performances elevated his profile enormously, drawing interest from some of Europe's most powerful clubs.
Reluctant compromise over a loan season
Lille are willing to sell the teenager this summer but insist on loaning him back for the 2026/27 season before he joins his new club permanently. Both Liverpool and Arsenal are described by Football Insider as reluctantly prepared to meet that condition — a significant concession given the scale of the investment involved.
Manchester City are also credited with an interest in Bouaddi, meaning the race for his signature could develop into a full Premier League bidding war. All three clubs are eager to secure the deal before the start of the new domestic campaign, even if it means waiting an extra season to have him available.
A price that reflects his rapid rise
Lille are expected to demand close to £100 million for Bouaddi, who has made only seven senior international appearances. That figure makes the loan-back clause all the more striking — clubs would commit enormous funds without having the player at their disposal for a full year.
Bouaddi made his senior Morocco debut just last month, having previously represented France at various youth levels up to Under-21. He switched his international allegiance to Morocco in May, and wasted no time making an impact on the world stage.
His career trajectory has been extraordinary. He made his Lille debut three days after turning 16 and marked his 17th birthday by making his Champions League debut. Europe's elite clubs have monitored him for some time, and the willingness of Liverpool and Arsenal to accommodate Lille's terms underlines the regard in which he is held across the continent.
Part of a wider youth strategy
The pursuit of Bouaddi fits into a broader pattern for both clubs this summer. Liverpool and Arsenal have each reportedly shown interest in 17-year-old Mexico midfielder Gilberto Mora, while Arsenal were also linked with Leicester City winger Jeremy Monga — though Manchester City appear to have moved ahead in that race. Bouaddi is further advanced in his development than either player, though his fee would dwarf theirs considerably.
