Like any well-run outfit, Arsenal will be wary of getting swept up in World Cup fever, drawn into signing a player based on their tournament showings this summer.

It's something of a different story if it is a player whom the Gunners are already keeping tabs on, however, with it hard not to have been impressed by the dazzling display of Morocco's Ayyoub Bouaddi, as the 2022 semi-finalists held Brazil to a 1-1 draw.

The eye-catching 18-year-old ran proceedings up against Carlo Ancelotti's out-of-sorts side, showcasing just why he is a player that both Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal "want to sign", according to French journalist, Julien Laurens.

A rising star at Lille, this World Cup could be the perfect platform for the teenager to really come to the fore, although he's not the only one that Mikel Arteta and co will be casting a watchful eye over.

Arsenal have held talks to sign £43m-rated World Cup talent

There is already suggestion that Arsenal have engaged in talks to sign Bouaddi, although the headline story has been their pursuit of Club Brugge's Christos Tzolis, a player who won't be at this summer's tournament after Greece's failure to qualify.

As revealed this week, the 24-year-old is said to be keen to make the move to north London, with the Premier League champions potentially able to strike a deal for a fee of around £35m.

Landing Tzolis wouldn't be the end of Arteta's bid to bolster his attacking ranks, however, far from it, with Arsenal insiders also providing the latest on the club's interest in Argentine sensation, Nico Paz.

As per the report, the suggestion is that talks have been held regarding a potential move for the Spain-born Como playmaker, with Arsenal said to have already made "standard checks".

Real Madrid do have the option of activating a buy-back clause to bring the 21-year-old back to LaLiga, although this latest report indicated that he was left "confused" over his future, following a talk with new Los Blancos boss, Jose Mourinho.

In terms of a price tag, prior reports earlier this year indicated that Chelsea were readying a bid for a fee of around £43m.

Why Paz could be an even bigger talent than Bouaddi

Morocco's clash with Brazil afforded Bouaddi the opportunity to showcase what he's all about, and that opportunity might well come for Paz over the coming weeks, having been named in Lionel Scaloni's squad as Argentina bid to defend their title.

There's the small matter of the South American giants boasting another left-footed number ten by the name of Lionel Messi, although don't be surprised to see Paz take his chance if thrust into the fray this summer.

Indeed, it has proven to be two stunning campaigns under ex-Arsenal skipper, Cesc Fabregas, in Como, with the versatile playmaker proving so effective both in front of goal and as a creator himself.

In 2024/25, for instance, he racked up 14 goals and assists and created 11 'big chances' from his 30 Serie A appearances, having subsequently bettered that record with 18 goals and assists and 13 'big chances' created in 33 outings this time around.

His 12 goals in 2025/26 also came having missed just three 'big chances', again highlighting what an effective figure he is in the final third.

A graceful, elegant operator between the lines, perhaps in the mould of a certain Martin Odegaard, where Paz also stands out is his defensive contribution, having averaged 3.4 tackles and interceptions per game last season.

For comparison, while Bouaddi typically operates in a deeper number eight or number six role, the Moroccan actually only averaged 2.9 tackles and interceptions per game.

He is still 18, it must be said, although there might also be some concern over Bouaddi's lack of progression, having averaged just 0.7 key passes per game, while contributing just a solitary assist.

As noted by DataMB, for instance, the teen gem ranked in the bottom 45% of midfielders for progressive passes completed and only the bottom 44% for forward passes completed, not exactly one to offer an incisive, probing pass to those ahead of him.

As a ball-carrier too, while Paz is again a more advanced midfielder, it's easy to see just what a progressive presence he is, having averaged two successful dribbles per game in 2025/26, ahead of Bouaddi's 1.1 average.

With 36 goals and assists in just 75 games in Italian football so far, the Como sensation truly has already proven himself as a star in the making, someone who could slot in perfectly to Arteta's ranks this summer.

Bouaddi is a talent in his own right, unquestionably, but it's Paz who might well already have the edge.