Arsenal given 'green light' to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi as talks begin for World Cup star

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Ayyoub Bouaddi has already demonstrated to Arsenal and other interested parties what he's capable of with a striking debut at the World Cup . Yet one former Gunners star had a strong understanding of the Morocco youngster's abilities long before this week.

Olivier Giroud has been a team-mate of the young midfielder at Lille since 2025. The 39-year -old netted 105 goals for Arsenal before departing in 2018 and is now consistently wowed by teenager Bouaddi, a player young enough to be his son.

The Times reported this week that Arsenal have opened discussions to sign the youngster , who is contracted at the Decathlon Arena until 2029. Bouaddi excelled in a youthful Morocco midfield as they went ahead in their World Cup 2026 opener against Brazil before having to accept a draw.

Real Madrid , Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea are understood to be among a raft of other clubs interested in 18-year-old Bouaddi. This is unlikely to shock Giroud, who spoke glowingly about his club colleague in a 2025 interview with Media Carre.

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"There's a 21-year age gap between Ayyoub and me, he's a great guy on and off the pitch," Giroud said. "Wow, he blew me away. He's the one who amazes me the most on a daily basis, even if there are other good young players.

"The maturity he has, the thinking...me, at 17, I was in the U19 national league. I was light years away from that.

"I call him my little one but he is already a big boy, very mature, with extraordinary values. I really wish him a great career because he is a beautiful person in addition to being a top player."

Following his standout display against Brazil, Bouaddi was quizzed by The Athletic on whether he had plans to make the move to the Premier League this summer. "For the moment, I am only focused on the World Cup and I cannot answer to this right now," he said.

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"Of course, I'm really happy to know that some clubs are interested in me. But, for now, I'm only focused on the World Cup with Morocco and we will try to give everything to do our best."

Bouaddi represented France , where he was born, through to under-21 level before declaring for Morocco earlier this year. And he's become a prominent part of a gifted squad under manager Mohamed Ouahbi.

The 2022 semi-finalists will continue their World Cup journey on Friday when they face Scotland in Foxborough. That's before rounding off their group-stage fixtures against Haiti on June 24.

Should Bouaddi and his team-mates finish top of their group, they would face the runner-up from Group F in the round of 32. Sweden currently lead that group after one match, having thrashed Tunisia 5-1, with the Netherlands and Japan having shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw.