Man Utd prioritise €40m wonderkid as ‘STATEMENT SIGNING’ targeted

Manchester United have made Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi their January transfer priority.

The Red Devils are set for a busy period in the transfer market, with at least one midfielder set to arrive at Old Trafford, while there is the possibility of an additional central player plus an attacker joining Ruben Amorim’s squad.

Bouaddi is the latest name associated with a switch to the Premier League giants, with the 18-year-old having distinguished himself in the heart of the Lille midfield for more than a year. Among his highlights was an outstanding Champions League display on his 17th birthday last term.

Such form has caught the eye of Man Utd, TeamTalk reports.

While United have been linked with more glamorous names such as Elliott Anderson, Conor Gallagher and Carlos Baleba, transfer market expert Dean Jones believes that the France U21 star will be more accessible.

“At the moment, we know that Man United are a little bit stuck when it comes to adding to their midfield because their top options are difficult to unlock,” Jones said. “It’s making me wonder how they view other players that aren’t as important for the present but still fit the longer plan.

“One of them is Ayyoub Bouaddi, who they really like and have watched many times. They are aware that other clubs are also in for him and it’s getting to the stage where I can see someone making an offer for him in January.

“Juventus are looking at it closely and it might take something like this to force United into a decision sooner rather than later.”

The signing of Bouaddi could clear the way for Kobbie Mainoo to leave the club, with the England international linked with a shock move to a European giant.

’Statement signing’

Juventus are indeed interested in Bouaddi, Corriere dello Sport reports, with the teenager seen as a potential “statement signing” by CEO Damien Comolli.

Juventus are reticent to pay Lille’s €40m asking price, which could be an opportunity for Man Utd to swoop for a player who has been compared to France international Adrien Rabiot.

Bouaddi, ranked as the third-best prospect in Ligue 1, has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €31.4m, but was as high as €38.7m at the end of last season.

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