Fabrizio Romano bombshell: Confirms Liverpool talks with World Cup's breakout star

Fabrizio Romano has moved to confirm talks between Liverpool and representatives of the World Cup's breakout star.

Anyone watching Brazil vs Morocco on Saturday evening will have seen plenty of players that they'd love their team to sign. It was the first star-studded fixture of the World Cup and didn't disappoint.

Article continues under the video

Well, the first-half didn't, anyway.

But perhaps no one came away from that match with a better reputation than Ayyoub Bouaddi. The 18-year-old started for Morocco - a country he only committed to in the last few months - in what was comfortably the biggest match of his life.

Everyone is now raving about Bouaddi in the wake of it. The teenager was sensational, looking like the most composed player on the pitch throughout the 1-1 draw.

Which brings us to Liverpool. The Reds are desperately in need of a defensive midfielder, someone who can break up play and bring solidity to the middle of the pitch.

Bouaddi is probably the greatest prospect in Europe for the position. All that was really working against him was a lack of evidence of him doing it at the absolute highest level but now we have that.

It's fantastic, then, to hear that Liverpool are trying to be ahead of the game here. Fabrizio Romano told his YouTube channel on Sunday that the Reds are one of those holding talks about the player.

"Lille knows very well that top clubs will be coming for Bouaddi, because even before the World Cup, some of the biggest clubs in the world started some conversations with his agents," he said. "I can tell you that between January and now, for sure, he's been approached by Paris Saint-Germain. Paris Saint-Germain love Bouaddi.

"At the moment, they are not so busy with midfielders on the market, so that's a point. But Paris Saint-Germain absolutely love Bouaddi, and they've been tracking him for a long time.

"Then we have to mention also that English clubs started having conversations for Bouaddi. For example, there were direct contacts with Arsenal and direct contacts also with Liverpool, so both clubs had meetings with the agents of the player, but now shining at the World Cup, one of the best talents around in midfield."

It sounds as though any club wanting Bouaddi must win a fight with PSG. But honestly, Liverpool should go all out to do just that.

Ayyoub Bouaddi: Situation Summary

Lille Career and Performance

As of 14 June 2026, Ayyoub Bouaddi is an 18-year-old central midfielder for Lille OSC. Since becoming the youngest player to debut in a UEFA club competition back in late 2023, the elegant playmaker has developed into a vital engine for the French side. The 2025/26 season served as his definitive breakthrough campaign, as he registered 34 Ligue 1 appearances and established himself as one of Europe's premier teenage talents. His exceptional vision and composed distribution in the center of the pitch helped Lille secure a top-four finish and qualification for the UEFA Champions League.

International Status and World Cup Involvement

Bouaddi is currently an integral part of the France Under-21 squad, having opted to continue his international development within the French youth setup. Although he was heavily monitored by senior manager Didier Deschamps following his domestic success, Bouaddi was not included in the final 26-man senior France squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. Elite clubs across Europe, including Real Madrid and Juventus, are reportedly preparing substantial summer bids to tempt Lille into selling their prized midfield prodigy.