Sources: Arsenal open preliminary Ayyoub Bouaddi talks as price tag revealed

Arsenal have opened preliminary talks to sign Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi and hope to complete a deal for £50million plus add-ons, sources have told Football Insider.

The Ligue 1 club are holding out for £60m for Bouaddi, 18, who is keen to move to the Premier League this summer.

The midfielder caught the world's attention with a brilliant performance as Morocco drew 1-1 with Brazil at the World Cup on Saturday, and Mikel Arteta is eager to add him to his collection of central midfielders.

Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi and Myles Lewis-Skelly have been pencilled in to fill three of the four central midfield slots in Arteta's squad next season, with Bouaddi eyed as an elite fourth option, who doubles as a future star also ready to make an impact now.

European champions PSG are also said to be interested in the Morocco international, who has already made 96 senior appearances for Lille and is under contract until 2029.

Arsenal are expected to be active this summer following their first Premier League title since 2004, with a full-back and left-winger also set to arrive at Emirates Stadium.

Reminder: Ayyoud Bouaddi is 18 years old. pic.twitter.com/NmTSQ6gUZt

Bouaddi's performance against Brazil on Saturday quickly made it clear why there is so much excitement surrounding him.

Arsenal transfer chiefs have reportedly been monitoring the 18-year-old for some time, and his display may well have dragged several other clubs into the mix.

Faced up against Bruno Guimaraes and Casemiro - world-class midfielders, both at least a decade older - Bouaddi held his own and even excelled.

Ayyoub Bouaddi vs Brazil pic.twitter.com/bWrGYd76WT

In the first half, the Lille sensation dominated the midfield, allowing Morocco to flow through him and constantly cutting out attacks.

On the ball, he was composed and fluid, completing three successful dribbles throughout the game.

Ultimately, Bouaddi would end the game with four tackles, six recoveries, two fouls won, nine duels won and a host of new admirers.

The market for central midfielders has been a point of heavy discussion in the opening weeks of the summer.

Manchester City are in talks over a move that is expected to reach around £125m for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, and Manchester United are reportedly closing in on an £80m move for Mateus Fernandes.

Excl: Ayyoub Bouaddi on future amid growing interest in Lille & #Morocco midfielder - “I’m really happy to know that some clubs are interested in me but for now I’m only focused on the WC and we will try to give everything to do our best” @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/4wSOvZxzaY pic.twitter.com/yVlM5kTrIJ

In that market, £60m for Bouaddi appears to be on the lighter side, although Arsenal will have to move quickly to avoid a bidding war.

"I’m really happy to know that some clubs are interested in me but for now I’m only focused on the WC and we will try to give everything to do our best," said the 18-year-old, when asked by The Athletic's David Ornstein about his future on Saturday.