Lille manager Davide Ancelotti has said he hopes Ayyoub Bouaddi will remain at the club despite reported interest from Manchester City and Arsenal. The 18-year-old midfielder has been linked with a move away after impressing for Morocco at the World Cup.
Ancelotti's stance on Bouaddi's future
Speaking after Lille's pre-season friendly against Everton on Saturday, Ancelotti confirmed that Bouaddi is attracting interest from several clubs but stressed his desire to keep the Morocco international. Bouaddi came on as a substitute at half-time in the match at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
"Bouaddi is a very good player. He is available [in terms of his fitness], and he played 45 minutes. But that is only because I have to manage his minutes," Ancelotti said. "Next week we start the season, and I consider him as an available player for me."
Transfer speculation and valuation
Reports have suggested that both Manchester City and Arsenal are interested in signing Bouaddi, with Lille reportedly placing a €100million (£85.6million) valuation on the teenager. Lille chairman Oliver Letang hinted at the fee earlier this month.
"When I see [Elliot] Anderson move to Manchester City for £116m and [Sandro] Tonali to Tottenham for £100m, and they don’t have the potential for development that Ayyoub has because he possesses unique qualities," Letang said. "I have a price in mind, and we'll see what happens."
Praise for Bouaddi's qualities
Ancelotti heaped praise on the young midfielder, describing him as one of the best midfielders in Europe for the next decade. "He is incredibly intelligent on and off the pitch, he is really mature. He is 18-years-old, but he looks like he is 32 when he is on the pitch," he said.
"Technically, he is really complete. He is also physical, really strong in duels. He's going to be one of the best midfielders in Europe for the next 10 years."
Recent reports have suggested that a move to Manchester City could be the most likely outcome, with Bouaddi viewed as a possible replacement for Rodri. It remains to be seen what the future holds for the teenager.
