Ayyoub Bouaddi Transfer News: Why Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City Want Morocco’s World Cup Star
Ben McAleer
Morocco sprung an upset in the round-of-32 as they followed in Paraguay’s footsteps and knocked out a European powerhouse on penalties. The Netherlands went ahead through Cody Gakpo with a little over 15 minutes to play.
However, with their World Cup participation on the line, the Atlas Lions bagged a late equaliser through Issa Diop. Ultimately, the AFCON runners’ up went on to claim a shootout success over the Oranje.
Not only was it a huge achievement by Morocco but it gives fans at least one more chance to see Ayyoub Bouaddi at the World Cup. The North African powerhouse managed to convince the Lille star to switch national allegiance from France to Morocco earlier this year.
Bouaddi proving Morocco's star man
He’s gone on to become a key man for Mohamed Ouahbi’s side, consolidating a starting spot alongside Neil El Aynaoui at the base of the 49-year-old’s favoured 4-2-3-1 setup. And football fans are really starting to pay close attention to the talented 18-year-old.
Lille supporter are already well aware of Bouaddi’s capabilities. He broke onto the scene in the 2024-25 season before going on to consolidate a spot in the Les Dogues starting XI for the 2025-26 campaign. His performances in France’s top tier haven’t exactly flown under the radar either.
Rather, Bouaddi is a player courted by some of the biggest teams on the continent, and it’s easy to see why. Indeed, he’s proven a hugely effective ball winner for both club and country. At the 2026 World Cup so far, he has managed 10 tackles, returning a 71.4% tackle success rate in the process.
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In Ligue 1, he managed 59 tackles at a 80.8% success rate last season. That in itself ranked 10th of those to have attempted at least 50 tackles in France’s top tier last term. However, it’s what Bouaddi does with the ball when he wins it back that has really caught the eye. The teenager is averaging 1.4 successful take ons at football’s showpiece this summer, which is a slight rise on his return in the 2025-26 Ligue 1 campaign (1.3).
Crucially, though, is that Bouaddi is a player who is incredibly difficult to shake off the ball. This press resistance is key as Morocco look to the teenage midfielder to help instigate attacks. He’s being dispossessed just 0.7 times per 90, and this has enabled Morocco to dominate opponents. A 62.3% possession return is the 12th highest at the World Cup.
Morocco's right-side preference
And despite his inexperience on the international stage, Bouaddi has the trust of his head coach to help build attacks through his impressive distribution. 66 passes per 90 ranks third of all Morocco players to have registered at least 100 minutes of action at the World Cup this summer.
Both Bouaddi and El Aynaoui operate incredibly close at the base of the midfield to help win possession and look to spread the ball to the right flank to maximise the attacking capabilities of Achraf Hakimi and Brahim Diaz. The pair are arguably Morocco’s two best offensive outlets.
It’s no surprise that 45% of Morocco’s attacks so far have come down the right flank. Only Australia (51%) are using this side of the pitch more in North America. Meanwhile, 36.8% of Bouaddi’s passes have gone to the right. 70 right side passes are the fourth most of all Morocco players this summer.
And with just 22% of their attacks coming through the middle of the park, Morocco have a clear gameplan to maximise the right-side options, with Bouaddi carrying out these demands to a tee.
Premier League interest not a surprise
It’s this tactical discipline combined with his ability to play a couple of midfield roles, including ball winning and general dictating, that has really seen Bouaddi shoot to prominence. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool have all been credited with an interest in the Moroccan.
After all, he’s shining on the biggest stage. Saying that, the World Cup showings are merely a continuation of a fine domestic season. To say he’s a superstar in the making would be a gross understatement. The fact is, Bouaddi is already playing at an elite level. A move to one of Europe’s heavyweights is the logical next step in the midfielder’s career.
