Barcelona is zeroing in on Ayyoub Bouaddi, the 18-year-old Lille OSC midfielder who turned heads at the 2026 World Cup, and the price tag is steep. Lille has reportedly set an asking price in the range of €70M to €80M for a player who, just a couple of years ago, most fans outside of Ligue 1 had never heard of.
Barcelona isn’t the only club circling. Arsenal, PSG, Manchester City, and Liverpool are all reportedly interested, which means this could turn into a multi-club auction that inflates fees well beyond the initial asking price.
What Barcelona is actually chasing
Bouaddi plays as a central midfielder. His performances at the 2026 World Cup, representing France on the biggest stage at just 18, put him on the radar of every major European club simultaneously.
Lille recently extended Bouaddi’s contract through 2029, a move designed to strengthen their negotiating position. With three years remaining on the deal, Lille has no urgency to sell and can afford to hold firm on valuation.
