Arsenal ‘pushing hard’ to secure “phenomenon” ahead of Chelsea – Club preparing for big sale

Arsenal and Chelsea are both interested in Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi, with the Gunners ‘pushing hard’ to sign him.

That’s according to journalist Fabrice Hawkins. He reports that Bouaddi is being courted by several Premier League clubs, including Arsenal and Chelea.

According to his information, Arsenal are ‘pushing hard’ to secure his signature ahead of any competition. Lille are open to a sale, but only after they’ve extended the 18-year-old’s contract.

His current deal expires in 2027, and the plan is to extend that before then aiming to sell him for over €50m next summer. PSG are also interested but yet to move for the youngster. He’s been earning admirers after coming through the ranks at Lille.

It’s been earning him plenty of admirers. Hawkins now insists that Arsenal and Chelsea are in the mix. In fact, the Gunners are seemingly planning a move before too long.

That certainly wouldn’t surprise agent Yvan Le Mee. He doesn’t represent the youngster. But last year he was busy bigging up the then 17-year-old, predicting some of the biggest clubs would be in the mix for him.

“He’s a 17-year-old phenomenon. He’s very strong,” he said in comments to Sport Italia.

“I think he’s already excluded from Italy for economic reasons, for the simple fact that I imagine teams like Real Madrid, Manchester City or Bayern Munich will arrive, in my opinion he will leave for figures of €60m and up.”

Now it seems it is a London battle, with Arsenal and Chelsea in the mix and seemingly moving towards making formal moves.