Former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has heaped praise on Lille teammate Ayyoub Bouaddi, claiming the 'complete' midfielder has the talent and 'maturity' to play for Real Madrid as early as next year. Bouaddi broke into Lille's first team at age 16 in 2023 and has since become one of French football's most exciting young talents.
Bouaddi's Rise and Transfer Speculation
Now 18, Bouaddi has attracted attention from Europe's biggest clubs. Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco have shown strong interest, while Premier League champions Arsenal have reportedly approached his entourage over a potential summer deal. Lille are resigned to losing Bouaddi and would accept offers around £60 million.
Bouaddi's standout performance in Morocco's 1-1 World Cup draw with Brazil, where he outshone Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes, has intensified speculation.
Giroud's Praise and Comparisons
Giroud told BBC Radio 5 Live: 'I've been amazed by his maturity. His head is well done; he's calm, confident, staying himself. It's a gift to have him in the team.' Giroud revealed friends compared Bouaddi to Patrick Vieira and Sergio Busquets, but he sees similarities to N'Golo Kante. 'He's a complete player, very versatile, all over the place, a bit like N'Golo Kante,' Giroud said.
However, Bouaddi's finishing needs improvement; he has yet to score for club or country. Giroud added: 'The only thing he should improve is his finishing. But if he's got it, he will play in Real Madrid next year.'
Bouaddi switched international allegiance from France to Morocco earlier this summer. He has made 96 appearances for Lille and is under contract until June 2029.
