Ayyoub Bouaddi to Arsenal transfer hinges on one demand that Andrea Berta can't guarantee

Ayyoub Bouaddi has made quite the impression for Morocco at the World Cup, attracting interest from lots of top clubs.

Ayyoub Bouaddi has told potential suitors what they need to do to secure his signature. The Lille wonderkid has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal this summer as Mikel Arteta looks to bolster his options in the middle of the park.

football.london understands that the Gunners are interested in signing Bouaddi, whose contract at Stade Pierre Mauroy expires in June 2029. Arsenal have closely monitored the 18-year-old for a while now, with Andrea Berta said to be an admirer.

In fact, the sporting director, who views Bouaddi as a world-class prodigy, has already laid established ground in the race for his signature. It's understood that Berta contacted the Moroccan international's representatives at the start of the year as the Gunners look to sign someone who can operate as both a number six and a number eight.

Bouaddi has since established himself as one of the most promising young players at the World Cup following his impressive performances for Mohamed Ouahbi's side in the group stage. Arsenal face strong competition for the teenager, with Paris Saint-Germain said to also be keeping tabs on the situation.

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According to The Athletic, Lille want to keep Bouaddi, having qualified for the Champions League, but they're aware of the impact of his performances on the international stage. The report claims that the French outfit would want around €80m (£69m) for his signature.

Meanwhile, it's said that Bouaddi has made a demand of his own. The Athletic reckon that the Moroccan would favour joining a team where he can consistently play a key role in the starting lineup.

He was one of the first names on the teamsheet at Lille last season, featuring 42 times across all competitions. Bouaddi was rarely dropped by Bruno Génésio, missing just as many games due to suspension (three) as he was an unused substitute.

Although Arsenal are expected to compete on all fronts next season, with the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup all up for grabs, Berta will not be able to guarantee to Bouaddi that he hits the ground running as a key player.

He'll likely be competing with Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, and Christian Nørgaard, as well as possibly Myles Lewis-Skelly, for opportunities in a double pivot. Even if Arteta were to field a midfield-three, Martin Ødegaard and Eberechi Eze would suddenly be thrown into the mix, too.

Although they may not be able to offer Bouaddi as many minutes as he would perhaps like, Berta could certainly sell him the project at the Emirates Stadium. Speaking to reporters last month, the Gunners boss outlined his plans to take his side to 'another level'.

Arteta said: "First of all, I will take a few days with my family, and then we will start the process to review what we have done. We will have to start making some very important decisions if we want to reach another level.

"We are going to have to show that ambition because we are more than capable of doing it, but it is going to demand us to be very ambitious, very fast and very smart."

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