Tottenham Hotspur may need to act fast if they do not want to lose out to their rivals in the race for Monaco sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi.
Spurs are reportedly prioritising additions to their midfield, and one teenager who has made an impressive start to the World Cup has reportedly caught their eye.
It has emerged over the last 24 hours that Tottenham are one of several European clubs to have explored a move for Ayyoub Bouaddi, who delivered a masterclass for Morocco in their 1-1 draw with Brazil.
The 18-year-old enjoyed a superb campaign for Lille in Ligue 1, and he has backed that up with a dominant performance on the world’s biggest stage, and clubs are now seemingly queuing up to sign him as a result.
Arsenal are holding talks with Tottenham target Ayyoub Bouaddi
According to a report in The Times, Arsenal have now stolen a march on their North London rivals Spurs in the race for the teenager.
The report says that the Gunners have begun talks with Bouaddi regarding a move to the Emirates Stadium this summer.
Formal discussions are now ongoing to add the Moroccan international to Mikel Arteta’s squad, although Arsenal are yet to launch an official offer for the player.
The Lille man is also on the radars of Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United, with a transfer battle thus potentially on the cards for the midfielder.
The numbers behind Bouaddi’s masterclass against Brazil
CaughtOffside provide the underlying numbers behind the 18-year-old’s eye-catching performance against the Selecao, which has led to the explosion in interest in the midfielder.
Bouaddi completed an astonishing 60 out of 66 attempted passes, registering a pass completion rate of 91 per cent. He also excelled as a defensive shield in front of Morocco’s back four, winning 9 out of his 13 contested ground and aerial duels.
It is revealed that the youngster’s performance on Saturday at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey has led to ‘the sudden urgency’ from Arsenal officials in trying to push through a deal for the midfielder.