Rio Ferdinand has urged Manchester United to sign World Cup breakout star Ayyoub Bouaddi, the 18-year-old Morocco midfielder valued at around £100 million. The former Manchester United and England defender named Bouaddi as the one player he would ‘100 per cent’ sign if he were running a club, praising his ability to control the tempo of a game.
Bouaddi's World Cup rise
Bouaddi, who plays for Lille, went from relative unknown to one of the most sought-after teenagers in world football during the World Cup. He anchored Morocco’s midfield as they drew with Brazil, knocked out the Netherlands and co-hosts Canada, before falling 2-0 to tournament favourites France in the quarter-finals.
‘I would go and get Bouaddi from Morocco, the 18-year-old midfielder,’ Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel. ‘100 per cent I’m taking him, building stuff around him. [He] takes the ball, manipulator. Controls the momentum of the game, speeds it up, slows it down, can beat the press. He’s my conductor.’
Transfer battle and price tag
Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Bayern Munich are also monitoring Bouaddi. Lille chairman Olivier Letang has suggested the player will cost around £100 million, according to reports. Lille are said to want to keep Bouaddi for at least one more season, which could mean any buying club would sign him and loan him back.
Manchester United have already secured Andrey Santos from Chelsea and are close to signing Aston Villa’s Youri Tielemans, but remain in the market for a third midfielder. Arsenal are also looking to strengthen in that position and could turn to Bouaddi if a move for Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes falls through.
Ferdinand also praises Saliba and Barcola
Ferdinand also named Arsenal defender William Saliba as a player he would sign after his commanding performances for France. Additionally, he tipped PSG winger Bradley Barcola for a big move, with the player linked to both Arsenal and Liverpool.
‘I’m going to Paris Saint-Germain with my shopping bags and taking Barcola out of that place,’ Ferdinand said. ‘Because he’s the one you can get. You can’t get [Desire] Doue, you can’t get [Khvicha] Kvaratskhelia. So, I’m taking Barcola. If Barcola comes play for me, he’s becoming one of the best in the world the way I’d have him moving.’
