Liverpool ready move for the HOTTEST midfielder in European football

Liverpool declined the opportunity to add a midfielder to their squad during last summer’s transfer window.

That was despite sporting director Richard Hughes spending a record £450m on new players.

Instead of buying cover or competition for the midfield, Liverpool opted to strengthen elsewhere. In fact the options were diminished through the exits of Harvey Elliott and James McConnell on loan and Tyler Morton - who joined Lyon for around £10m.

A lot was asked of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones and to a lesser extent Wataru Endo during the Premier League title-winning campaign.

Liverpool's midfield problems

And the strain is beginning to tell already this season - with injuries suffered by Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Jones and Endo. That’s why we’ve seen links materialise with other midfield talents - who could come in and augment Arne Slot’s options.

The current name in the frame is Ayyoud Bouaddi - Lille’s 18-year-old central midfield sensation. Despite his tender age the France under-21 international is already a veteran of almost 70 first-team games for the Ligue 1 side.

His performances in the French top flight and in Europe have put him on the radar of several major clubs around Europe.

Liverpool ready to make move for Ayyoub Bouaddi

And according to a new report in TBR Football, Liverpool are set to launch a bid for one of the most talked-about young talents in the European game.

Hughes and Slot will have to pay attention to rival interest from Arsenal however - with Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig also keeping an eye on the midfielder.

“Arsenal and Liverpool are firmly in the mix to launch a 2026 move for Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi,” the report reads.

“Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Tottenham are all monitoring him regularly. Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and RB Leipzig are also paying close attention. Lille are preparing for the likely departure of their prized asset.”

Bouaddi under contract until 2027

Bouaddi was man-of-the-match on his Champions League debut against Real Madrid last season - the occasion of his 17th birthday. He was also given the same prize in another game against European royalty in the shape of Juventus.

Bouaddi is only under contract until 2027 at the Decathlon Arena - and since turning 18 last month is now eligible for an overseas transfer.

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