Following a disappointing transfer window in summer 2024, Arsenal went big this year.
Andrea Berta and Co oversaw the signing of eight first-team players, ranging from Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie at the back to Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke up top.
However, when it comes to the best pickup the North Londoners made in the summer, it’s hard to look past Martin Zubimendi, who, alongside Declan Rice, has played a massive part in making the Gunners so hard to play against.
Yet, as incredible as the Spaniard has been, reports suggest Arsenal are looking to add even more quality to the middle of the park in the shape of a youngster that Zubimendi and Rice would surely love to have in the team.
Arsenal target dream signing for Rice & Zubimendi
Heading into the January window and beyond, most Arsenal fans might be hoping the club sign another attacker or even defender.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
After all, Gyokeres hasn’t quite settled yet, and the backline has been ravaged by injury, leading to the likes of Jurrien Timber and William Saliba being overplayed.
However, with the likes of Gabriel Mageheses and Kai Havertz not too far away from returning, it could be argued that reinforcing the midfield is the most pressing concern, an argument the club seem to agree with.
At least that is according to a recent report from Caught Offside, which claims Arsenal are interested in Ayyoub Bouaddi.
In fact, the report goes further, revealing that the Gunners have already made first contact with the youngster’s camp and are laying the groundwork for a summer move.
However, the report has also revealed that several other teams are keen on the player, like Liverpool, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Chelsea.
More worrying, the Blues could reportedly make an offer of around €50m in January, which is about £47m.
This could therefore prove to be a costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Bouaddi’s ability and potential, Arsenal should fight for it, especially as it’s one Rice and Zubimendi would appreciate.
Why Rice & Zubimendi would love Bouaddi
Now, it might sound simplistic, but the main reason Rice and Zubimendi would love Arsenal to sign Bouaddi, either in January or the summer, is that he could cover for them.
Sure, on the surface, it would seem odd for players to be happy about increased competition for gametime, but given that the Frenchman is just 18 years old, he wouldn’t really be that.
Instead, he’d be someone who could come off the bench for one of them during a game, start a cup match, or maybe even step in when the level of opposition is that little bit lower.
This would then allow the two internationals more time to recover and, in turn, let them spend more time at their very best and be less likely to suffer a fatigue-related injury.
Subscribe to our newsletter for elite transfer insight Dig into transfer strategy and youth scouting — subscribe to the newsletter for deeper breakdowns on Arsenal targets like Ayyoub Bouaddi, data-driven scouting notes and how potential signings could bolster the midfield. Essential reading for transfer-minded fans. Subscribe to our newsletter for elite transfer insight Dig into transfer strategy and youth scouting — subscribe to the newsletter for deeper breakdowns on Arsenal targets like Ayyoub Bouaddi, data-driven scouting notes and how potential signings could bolster the midfield. Essential reading for transfer-minded fans.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
With that said, is the LOSC Lille gem even good enough to cover for the pair?
Fortunately, the answer is a clear yes, as, in addition to being comfortable in central and defensive midfield, the “10/10” talent, as dubbed by scout Jacek Kulig, also has some really impressive underlying numbers to his name.
For example, FBref ranks him in the top 1% of midfielders in Ligue 1 for blocks, the top 2% for long pass completion, the top 8% for successful take-ons, the top 16% for touches in the opposition’s penalty area, and more, all per 90.
Bouaddi’s Scout Report
Statistics
Per 90
Percentile
Blocks
1.99
Top 1%
Pass Completion % (Long)
88.0%
Top 2%
Passes Blocked
1.56
Top 2%
Successful Take-Ons
1.39
Top 8%
Tackles (Att 3rd)
0.61
Top 10%
Successful Take-On %
69.6%
Top 10%
Touches (Att Pen)
2.60
Top 16%
Shots Blocked
0.43
Top 19%
All Stats via FBref
Finally, on top of helping out his senior teammates, the incredible prospect would simply be an excellent signing for the club, as he really does look like someone who could develop into a world-beater one day.
Ultimately, it won’t be an easy deal to get over the line, but for the club’s future and Rice and Zubimendi, Arsenal should do what they can to sign Bouaddi.
Another Dowman: Berta has already agreed to sign Arsenal a "10/10 talent"
Berta and Arteta are building a squad full of incredible young talents like Dowman.
ByJack Salveson Holmes