Manchester United are facing a race against time as they desperately attempt to rebuild the heart of their midfield before the new season begins.
With pre-season now less than two weeks away, United head coach Michael Carrick currently has Kobbie Mainoo as his only recognised senior central midfielder following Manuel Ugarte’s long-term injury.
LOSC Lille wonderkid Ayyoub Bouaddi has attracted the attention of several European giants, including Man United.
Lille president Olivier Letang has now issued a strong public warning to every club hoping to prise the teenager away.
He said (via Eurosport): “I have never spoken about a figure. You have to look at his level.
“How much were Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali sold for? They’re older and don’t have the same room for improvement.
“He’s an extraordinary young man. His maturity and intelligence are exceptional.”
United not ready for Bouaddi gamble
The 18-year-old is regarded as one of the most technically gifted midfielders of his generation.
His outstanding performances for Morocco at the FIFA World Cup have only accelerated the hype surrounding his enormous potential.
There is no doubt that Bouaddi is a remarkable talent, but comparing his current value with players such as Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali feels highly premature.
Anderson is already an established Premier League star who has consistently dominated matches at the highest level.
Those performances earned him a sensational £116 million move to Manchester City, while Tonali also secured a blockbuster transfer to Tottenham Hotspur worth around £100m.
Signing Bouaddi for a similar fee would be a huge gamble.
Despite his immense talent, the teenager is still developing and could require significant time before adapting to the relentless demands of Premier League football.
To complicate matters further, Lille also want any buying club to immediately loan him back for another season, reducing the appeal of such a huge investment.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
