Arsenal are looking for a new midfielder this summer, but the midfield market has become incredibly inflated.
Manchester City have just spent £116 million on Elliot Anderson, while Tottenham have splashed £100 million and £85 million on Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes respectively.
That has made every selling club raise their price tag for their midfielders, which has left Arsenal in a difficult position.
One of Andrea Berta’s targets is Ayyoub Boaddi, and his club’s president has made a bold claim.
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Lille president says Arsenal target Ayyoub Bouaddi will become a better player than Sandro Tonali and Elliot Anderson
Ayyoub Bouaddi has become a household name since the start of the World Cup.
The teenager was outstanding for Lille last season, and his performances for Morocco on football’s biggest stage have been even better.
Arsenal really like Bouaddi and are keen to sign him this summer, but many other top clubs are interested in his services as well.
Now, Lille president Olivier Letang has hinted at an increased price tag by pointing at the transfer fees paid for Anderson and Tonali.
The French club’s chief’s argument is that Bouaddi’s potential is higher than that of those two players, which means he could become an even better player than they are.
When asked about his star teenager’s price tag, Letang told Eurosport France: “How to answer this question… Did I speak, raise the subject, give a figure? No never. You have to look at your level.
“How many players like Anderson or Tonali were sold, who are much older, but without room for improvement.
So, you get an idea of the value of Ayyoub, who has a unique profile at just 18 years old.”
👀 NAME a BETTER midfield target for Arsenal than Ayyoub Bouaddi… I bet you CAN’T…
🌟 The 18-year-old looked so good vs Brazil's at the World Cup!
Ayyoub Bouaddi is worth the big bucks for Arsenal
Bouaddi has all the qualities you would want in a central midfielder.
Even though he is still only 18, he has shown the ability to dominate midfield battles, which is very rare for a player of that age.
Lille are well within their right to demand big money for Bouaddi, but Arsenal should not be put off by their price tag.
Even though the investment presents a risk, the rewards are absolutely massive, which is why we think this deal is worth it even if it will cost a lot of money.
Whether Andrea Berta feels the same way too remains to be seen.
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