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Published Jun 27, 2026, 1:21 PM GMT+1
Ben is an experienced sports writer and editor, graduating with a Master’s in Sports Journalism in 2017.
Ben counts experience with publications like The Liverpool Echo and The Lincolnshire Echo. He has covered various sports, from American football to Mixed Martial Arts, but his primary passion is football reporting.
Since joining Football FanCast in 2018, starting out as a freelance writer covering nearly every team in the English football ladder, Ben has progressed through the ranks. He now leads the publication’s news team as a senior editor.
Fabrizio Romano has shared the latest on the future of Liverpool, Arsenal and PSG target Ayyoub Bouaddi as the Morocco teenager continues to shine at the 2026 World Cup.
Bouaddi has been one of the standout stars of this summer's tournament in North America, starting Morocco's crucial first two matches as they progressed to the knockout stages, where they will face the Netherlands in the round of 32.
Olivier Giroud, who has played with the 18 year-old at French club Lille, has tipped him for a big move this summer: "I don't see him at Lille next season, his transfer will be between 60 and 70 million.
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Both Arsenal and Liverpool are expected to shop for a new midfielder this summer. The Reds' midfield looked out on their feet at times last season, providing little cover for the defence, while Arsenal would like to lighten the load on Declan Rice, who played nearly 4,500 minutes across all competitions, the equivalent of 50 full matches. |
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Giroud's valuation of €70m (£60m) aligns with various reports on Lille's demands this summer. Bouaddi, for his part, earns just £18,000-a-week at Lille, so would be in line for a hefty pay rise if he moves to the riches of the Premier League. |
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The teenager played 30 times in Ligue 1 last season, excelling in tackling (2 per game) and dribbling (1.1 per game). He has drawn praise at the World Cup for his athletic dribbling through tight spaces in midfield, and at 6 foot 1 boasts the physicality to compete in English football. |
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PSG's interest will make life difficult for the interested parties in the Premier League. The reigning Champions League winners offer huge wages, constant domestic succees and a genuine route to stardom on the European stage. |
"What impressed me was his maturity and his environment, which is really healthy, first and foremost. He has a good head on his shoulders in the sense that he is calm and self-confident. He is a gift to have on your team and Morocco must be very happy to have him."
PSG make phone call to Bouaddi's agents
Romano revealed don his YouTube channel on Saturday morning that the French giants have launched themselves into the race for the Lille starlet by contacting his agents.
"Manchester City have an interest in Bouaddi. I'm told PSG have also been in contact with people close to the player.
"Let's see what's going to happen with Bouaddi, I told you that Arsenal and Liverpool had meetings before the World Cup for this boy, so both clubs were already tracking him."
Liverpool star will be watching what happens with Bouaddi
One man who will be watching this saga intently is Liverpool's Curtis Jones, who fell out of the pecking order under Arne Slot last season.
New manager Andoni Iraola typically deploys just two in midfield behind a four-pronged attacking group, and Jones sits behind Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister in the race for those two spots.
Should Bouaddi join, Jones may be forced to take up the rumoured move to Inter Milan, who have already seen a bid rejected for the 25 year-old.
The Serie A champions made a verbal offer of £21.7million for the 25-year-old but that is well below the Anfield club’s £34.6m valuation.
It is the second time this year the Reds have rebuffed interest from Inter following an approach in January.
Given the significant gap between the two clubs’ valuations, Liverpool are not anticipating further negotiations at this stage, but a sale could open the door for a blockbuster move for Bouaddi, both in terms of finances and squad planning.
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