Arsenal in battle with Champions League rivals in race to sign teenage starlet in January

Arsenal are keen on signing Lille wonderkid Ayyoub Bouaddi, talkSPORT understands.

However, the Premier League leaders face competition for the teenager’s signature.

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Bouaddi has established himself in the first-team at Lille in 2025.

The 18-year-old has already made 18 appearances across all competitions so far this season.

His emergence at the Ligue 1 side comes after making his debut in the competition in October 2023 aged just 16.

Bouaddi, who has one assist to his name this term, has already been capped by France at under-21 level.

Gunner get ya?

As a result, the midfielder is attracting interest from a host of top Champions League clubs.

Amongst them are Arsenal, with the Gunners ready to make a move for the starlet.

Mikel Arteta’s side are interested in launching a January approach for Bouaddi.

The Premier League transfer window will reopen next month before closing on February 2.

However, they are set to face strong competition to sign Bouaddi.

French champions Paris Saint-Germain have also identified the youngster as a transfer target.

AFP

Bouaddi has also penned a new deal with Lille this week to extend his time at the club.

His contract now runs through to the summer of 2029 in a blow to his potential suitors.

The French youth international joined the club’s academy aged 13 back in 2021.

Elsewhere, Arsenal have also shown an interest in Levante striker Etta Eyong.

Chelsea and Manchester United are amongst the sides monitoring the Cameroon international, talkSPORT understands.

Arteta could look to bolster his squad during the mid-season transfer window.

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His side currently sit five points clear at the top of the Premier League after only losing one of their opening 14 matches.

The Spaniard spent £260.5million on seven permanent signings during the summer, including Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze.