Paris Saint-Germain has intensified its pursuit of Ayyoub Bouaddi, the 18-year-old French-Moroccan midfielder currently playing for LOSC Lille in Ligue 1, according to recent reports. The player, born on October 2, 2007, in Senlis, France, has drawn attention for his performances in central midfield, with PSG reportedly preparing formal negotiations with Lille officials.
Bouaddi joined Lille’s academy in 2021 after coming through the youth ranks at AFC Creil. He signed his first professional contract with Lille on August 21, 2023, which runs until June 30, 2026. His contract was last extended on December 5, 2025, securing his stay at the club through the 2028-2029 season. Lille values the player highly, with his market value listed at €50 million on Transfermarkt as of the 2025-2026 season.
The teenager made his senior debut for Lille on October 5, 2023, in a UEFA Europa Conference League match against KÍ Klaksvík. At 16 years and three days old, he became the youngest player ever to feature in a European club competition game. He too set records as Lille’s youngest-ever official match appearance holder and the youngest Ligue 1 player since Joël Fréchet in 1981, achieving the latter feat on October 22, 2023.
On his 17th birthday, October 2, 2024, Bouaddi started for Lille in a UEFA Champions League match against Real Madrid at Stade Pierre-Mauroy, becoming one of the youngest players to start in the competition for the club. He has since become a regular in Lille’s senior setup, accumulating 57 appearances across all competitions as of March 22, 2026, without scoring a goal in senior play.
Internationally, Bouaddi has represented France at multiple youth levels. He played for the France U16 team in 2022-2023, earning eight caps and scoring three goals. He then featured for the U17s in 2023-2024 with five appearances, followed by three caps for the U18s and one for the U20s in 2024. Since 2024, he has been part of the France U21 squad, earning 10 caps and scoring one goal as of March 30, 2026.
PSG’s interest in Bouaddi has been described as serious, with reports indicating that discussions between the Parisian club and Lille are expected to take place at the complete of May 2026. The reported transfer fee under discussion is around €60 million, though Lille’s valuation and contractual terms may influence the final figure. Bouaddi’s current contract with Lille includes a release clause, though its exact value has not been disclosed in verified sources.
The midfielder is primarily deployed as a central midfielder but is also capable of playing in a defensive midfield role. He is right-footed and stands at 1.85 meters (6 feet 1 inch) tall. His playing style has drawn comparisons to Marco Verratti, particularly in terms of technical ability, composure on the ball, and tactical intelligence, earning him the nickname “le nouveau Verratti” in French media.
Lille has been proactive in securing Bouaddi’s long-term future, having extended his contract in December 2025. The club views him as a key part of its project, both on and off the pitch, given his local roots and rapid rise through the academy. Any potential transfer would require significant compensation to reflect his age, potential, and current contractual situation.
As of April 25, 2026, no official bid has been submitted by PSG for Bouaddi, and Lille has not publicly commented on the nature of ongoing discussions. The player remains focused on his development with Lille, where he continues to feature regularly in Ligue 1 and European competitions.
The next confirmed checkpoint in Bouaddi’s schedule is Lille’s upcoming Ligue 1 match, though specific fixture details for late April 2026 are not available in verified sources. Fans and observers are advised to monitor official club channels for updates on player availability and club statements regarding transfer activity.
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