The Times: Arsenal begin talks for Moroccan World Cup sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi

Premier League champions Arsenal have opened discussions over a potential move for young Moroccan international Ayyoub Bouaddi, one of the standout revelations of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, British daily The Times reported on Sunday.

The 18-year-old midfielder impressed during Morocco’s 1-1 draw against Brazil on Saturday in the opening match of Group C. Bouaddi delivered an outstanding performance against several of Brazil’s biggest stars, The Times noted.

Citing multiple sources, the newspaper reported that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has identified the young Moroccan as one of his top priorities for the summer transfer window.

The Gunners have already begun discussions with the player’s representatives, although no formal offer has yet been submitted to Lille, according to the report.

Competition for Bouaddi’s signature is expected to be intense, the publication added, with Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, and several other leading European clubs also closely monitoring the Moroccan midfielder’s progress.