The sensational rise of LOSC Lille starlet Ayyoub Bouaddi has caught the eye of Europe's elite, but club president Olivier Létang remains confident about holding on to the jewel of their youth academy. The 18-year-old midfielder, who famously introduced himself to the global stage during a Champions League masterclass against Real Madrid at just 17, saw his profile skyrocket following a remarkable campaign with Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His superb performance in a -1 draw against Brazil in mid-June further intensified interest from major powerhouses, including Premier League giants Arsenal and Manchester City.
// RELATED STORIES
Enjoying this article?
Get even more captivating stories by subscribing to our newsletter. It's free!
Subscribe Sekarang →Despite rumors in the British media claiming that LOSC Lille has slapped a €100 million price tag on the prodigy—who extended his contract until 2029 last December—Olivier Létang has firmly shut down any immediate negotiation talks. "I never discussed figures," the Lille president clarified during a press conference. "But there are very few clubs today that can afford a player of Ayyoub's quality, who is only 18. Everything remains possible, but my view, and my firm conviction, is that there is a strong chance he will stay with us for another season. And he would be very happy to do so."
Based on reports surrounding the club, Lille's qualification for the Champions League serves as a critical asset in keeping Bouaddi, who already boasts 96 professional appearances. Olivier Létang, well-known for engineering high-profile sales like Leny Yoro and Bafodé Diakité, reportedly holds internal ambitions of making Bouaddi the most expensive departure in Ligue 1 history, aiming to eclipse the €90 million fee Al-Hilal paid for Neymar in 2023. Privately, the club chief points to recent massive English midfield moves, such as Elliot Anderson's €135 million transfer to Manchester City and Sandro Tonali's €120 million switch to Tottenham Hotspur, arguing that Bouaddi possesses an even higher ceiling.
According to editorial team monitoring, the French side is operating with utmost calmness and refused all inquiries from wealthy suitors during the World Cup to fully preserve the player's focus and growth. "Today, I haven't had any discussions because I refused all talks with clubs capable of paying that type of transfer fee during the World Cup," Létang added. "There is no rush. We are very relaxed, as is Ayyoub. We will evaluate things based on what happens in the coming weeks, but we must be ready for every eventuality. If he were to leave, we must be prepared."
Meanwhile, new LOSC Lille manager Davide Ancelotti, who observed the youngster's brilliance firsthand in New York, remained diplomatic when asked about the situation, stating that while Bouaddi is a magnificent asset, his immediate job is to work with the squad at hand. Beyond the Bouaddi saga, the club is moving swiftly to finalize a contract extension for 31-year-old Algerian international Nabil Bentaleb, whose deal expired in June. The club has also identified three key reinforcement areas for the current window, targeting Sevilla FC defender Tanguy Kouassi and Feyenoord Rotterdam midfielder Gjivai Zechiël.