A midfield partnership of Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira and Barcelona icon Sergio Busquets would’ve probably been the best duo of all time.
The Frenchman wasn’t just incredibly powerful and strong in challenges, but he was also fantastic on the ball and could play the beautiful game.
Busquets is arguably the greatest number six of all time, and the work he did made Andreas Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez become the greats that they are now.
But imagine if there was a player who had the potential to be a hybrid of the two legendary midfielders. Arsenal target Ayyoub Bouaddi could be that player.
🤔 Which midfield target should Andrea Berta prioritise at Arsenal this summer?
Olivier Giroud’s friends think Ayyoub Bouaddi is a ‘mix’ of Patrick Vieira and Sergio Busquets
Bouaddi has made a phenomenal name for himself.
The teenager was outstanding for Lille in France and earned a lot of admirers – not just football fans but even top clubs across Europe.
Arsenal are one of the clubs keen to sign Bouaddi this summer, and Andrea Berta is said to have done a lot of work on a potential deal.
Former Gunner Olivier Giroud knows Bouaddi very well having played with him at Lille. He has revealed that his friends have compared him to a mix of Vieira and Busquets.
However, the Frenchman thinks he’s more like N’Golo Kante.
He said on BBC 5 Live: “I have been amazed by his maturity, and also his entourage is really good. His head is well done, in the sense that he is calm, confident, and he is staying like himself.
“It’s a gift to have in the team, and I think Morocco are very, very pleased to have him. He has shown from the first game, and I think that’s just the beginning, you know, 18 years old!
“I was talking to some friends and they sent me pictures of Patrick Vieira and Sergio Busquets. They said he’s a mix of both. He’s not yet as good as Sergio Busquets technically, but still, he has got some skills. Patrick Vieira, maybe, lack of power to compare with Patrick. He will get stronger and bigger.
“Over €60-70 million, you know, the price is now. I think it’s going to be tough to keep him at Lille. But yeah, he’s a complete player, he is very versatile. He’s all over the place, a bit like N’Golo Kante.
“The only thing he should improve, and he has to improve, and he knows that because we’ve been teasing him a lot about that this year, is his finishing. Finishing, as in being more aggressive in front of goal.
“Look, if he gets that, then he will play for Real Madrid next season. So, give him some time.”
👀 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!
Arsenal have a now-or-never chance to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi
Everyone who has seen Bouaddi play feels like he is a superstar in the making.
A number of top clubs across Europe are trying to get his signature, and Arsenal are definitely among those sides.
However, there is only a small window of opportunity for all the sides.
Bouaddi’s stock is already at an all-time high after his fantastic season at Lille, and his display for Morocco against Brazil has only increased that.
Arsenal have the chance to get Bouaddi now, but the longer they delay, the more expensive his signing will be. That would then suit clubs like PSG and Chelsea.
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