Arsenal and Chelsea are eyeing one of the hottest teams in European football, but the Premier League pair have suffered a blow ahead of the winter season.
Arsenal and Chelsea’s hopes of signing Ayyoub Bouadi have been dashed. The Lille star was linked with a move to the Premier League after his good form with Les Dawgues, but has now penned a new contract.
The 18-year-old midfielder said after extending his contract until 2029: “I am very happy and proud to extend my contract with my boyhood club, LOSC.” “This club has given me so much, contributed so much to my development and the people I’m grateful to are my extended family.
“The guys have helped me a lot in my development, so I hope that continues. I would also like to thank the fans for their support. I remember in the beginning, in the first games, it wasn’t always easy, but they always supported me. So it was natural for me to give back by extending my contract here.”
Earlier this week, RMC Sport reported that Bouadi was a target for Arsenal and Chelsea, with Paris Saint-Germain also linked. French media claimed that Gunners transfer director Andrea Berta had already met with representatives of the young player.
Although the new contract may prevent him from leaving the club in January, some point out that this will not stop clubs from experimenting with summer transfers. RMC Sport suggested that both London clubs were preparing a bid of around £39m, but Lille president Olivier LeTang was said to have been holding off on making a higher bid even before his contract was renewed.
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Despite his young age, Bouadi has already established himself as a starter at Lille. The northern French outfit made more than £50m when they sold Lenny Yolo, who enjoyed a similar early rise before being snapped up by Manchester United, but they are unlikely to sell their latest wonder signing cheaply.
The 18-year-old has only missed one game in Ligue 1 this season, missing Friday’s win over Marseille after being sent off against Le Havre. He also featured in four of Lille’s five Europa League games and nine in last season’s Champions League.
Bouadi attracted attention last season when he started in a 1-0 Champions League win against Real Madrid on his 17th birthday. The youngster, who is pursuing a degree in mathematics, has been praised for his intelligence both on and off the pitch.
France Under-21s coach Gerard Baticle said of Bouadi: “His intelligence is useful on many levels.” “He’s hitting the right tone and keeping the right distance.”
The teenager has already played eight times for Batikul’s Under-21 team, despite only turning 18 two months ago. He scored his first goal for his age group against the Faroe Islands earlier this year in the middle of the park alongside PSG star Warren Zaire-Emery and Burnley’s former Chelsea player Leslie Ugochukwu.
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