Real Madrid are looking to revive their historic transfer strategy of signing standout World Cup stars, turning their attention to Morocco’s teenage prodigy Ayyoub Bouaddi during the ongoing summer transfer window.
The 18-year-old Lille midfielder has delivered spectacular performances for Morocco at the FIFA World Cup 2026, shining in matches against Brazil and Scotland. His exploits have sparked a bidding war among Europe’s elite, with Arsenal also heavily interested.
Replicating the Galácticos’ World Cup Tradition
According to renowned journalist José Félix Díaz, Real Madrid have officially joined the race for Bouaddi. The move aligns with Los Blancos’ traditional habit of snapping up World Cup sensations, a strategy previously used for:
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Mesut Özil (2010)
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James Rodríguez (2014)
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Keylor Navas (2014)
Currently, Real Madrid are actively seeking to reinforce their midfield. Bouaddi has now earned a spot on José Mourinho’s wishlist at the Bernabéu.
Enzo Fernández vs. Ayyoub Bouaddi: The Price Factor
While Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández remains Real Madrid’s priority target for the midfield this summer, his astronomical price tag could force the club to pursue more viable alternatives like Bouaddi. Lille have reportedly set an €80 million asking price for the Moroccan starlet.
Notably, Bouaddi chose to represent Morocco in the 2026 World Cup, turning down France following disagreements with manager Didier Deschamps.
When recently questioned by reporters regarding a potential move to Real Madrid, Bouaddi didn’t deny the rumors, offering only a telling smile that hints at his desire to don the iconic white jersey.
Real Madrid’s Aggressive Summer Window
Real Madrid entered the World Cup with only 10 players in the tournament. However, they have since announced blockbuster signings, including Ibrahima Konaté, Denzel Dumfries, Marc Cucurella, and Bernardo Silva. According to Díaz, this number is highly likely to increase in the coming days.
