Resurfaced prior rumor we are close to signing Sporting LB Maxi Araujo. He gave us a good game when we played them. Which seems to be a recurring thing with Arteta who sometimes tries to buy players who were solid against us. We played Club Brugge several months ago and he must have impressed. Its also why I think yeah....yeah for the 200th time (gotta reload the Kofane bots for some folks) I wouldn't be surprised with Kofane. I was very impressed with him obviously. I really like Bouaddi, he's not a starter but he adds something different to our midfield, some size, a Patrick Vieira-lite box to box player who is more defensive minded. I really hope we pick him up. If we get Rogers, Kroupi and Kofane I'll be a happy camper for a start. Others are gravy. I don't think we will get Alvarez. Don't see it for some reason. Would love it if it happens but I don't think so.
🚨 Arsenal have been actively working on the signing of Ayyoub Bouaddi (18) for several months. The club have clearly indicated to Bouaddi that he would be considered an important player in their project, with the player interested in the potential move.Lille want around €70m… pic.twitter.com/68kAqihgAg— afcstuff (@afcstuff) June 13, 2026
With Bouaddi, he does not do the same things that the currrent midfield does, with the possible exception of MLS. But that is a good thing, even if he does duplicate some of what MLS offers. On the basis of how the Champions League final was officiated, and some of what we are seeing in World Cup officiating, it looks like there is a definite emphasis on keeping the ball in play and preventing extended set up on restarts, probably to keep the game from being a set-piece contest. It wasn’t necessarily a lot of Arsenal’s attack this season, but if the changes mean Arsenal score fewer goals off of set-pieces, then they need to make plans for building more attacks for the run of play. Having a midfielder who can take the ball and start building possession seems like a good way to transition into a team that holds onto the ball. Which, as was evident through a good part of the second half of the season, was already a problem for Arsenal. Bouaddi does a lot of things that Arsenal needs from my perspective.
He had a great game against one of if not the biggest name in world football. He is now a global name and other clubs will join the bidding. Makes sense...unless someone is stupid. "Yesterday's price is not today's price" - Fat Joe Lets lock him down. My guess is we were/are close to getting him as we were linked a few weeks ago.
Can't see Calafiori going anywhere. Not this next season. Never know obviously but I would be shocked.
There are very few secrets anymore. The big clubs (and I include us of course) have known about Bouaddi for some time now.
I think he has Rice potential, he and Myles potentially future proof Arsenal’s midfield for at least a decade.
Yeah he’s been known for over a year and he’s only 18 every single level is videod now so scouts have it much easier than when wenger took anelka from france as a 17 year old people had barely heard of petit here when he was starting for Monaco as a left back at times now even u14 players are generally known
Absolutely agree. That 12 year old on the beach in Brazil whose video is viral is being tracked. Its not that Bouaddi is not known, its that only a very few clubs were actively chasing him, with great intention, us being one. Now, other big clubs will be going in for him where they weren't before. That happens after every WC, every EUROs, Merino and Calafiori shined in international competition more than expected. Bouaddi as well. Got it?
the same big clubs after Bouaddi are still after him. Arsenal didnt sign Merino and Calafiori because of Euros
So Fabrizio, are you a bot? Really? You have no idea who was after him, no one does. We were linked to him in rumor mills. Liverpool has now been linked. There were a few videos of us specifically looking at him 6 and 9 months ago. Maybe 1 for Liverpool. That's. It. Do other clubs know about him, of course. "Now, other big clubs will be going in for him where they weren't before. That happens after every WC, every EUROs, Merino and Calafiori shined in international competition more than expected." I love how you take that quote and make it "Arsenal didnt sign Merino and Calafiori becauseof Euros" Okay to infer, I could see that but you wrote something I didn't say specifically. As usual. We were looking at them before they had great Euros, they had great Euros before playing for us, that part of my post was about players who get additional attention when playing well in big competitions. Not about Arsenal buying based on Euros. Playing great at Lille is great. Playing great in the WC is another matter. He's taken more seriously by clubs who were tracking but not committed. That happens. You may not want to agree for the sake of not agreeing with anything I say but its a silly point to argue. Anyway, if you want to bother, respond, its not worth it to over explain logic to some who is logical but just wants to argue for personal reasons.
I know we are heavily linked but as I said before, I will believe the Alvarez rumor when he's standing in London holding up our shirt next to Mikel. Just don't see it but that's my gut saying that.
Some of us are confusing "heavily linked' and 'tracking: Prior to the 2026 World Cup, Lille OSC's 18-year-old midfield prodigy Ayyoub Bouaddi was heavily linked with a number of Europe's elite clubs. The clubs leading the race included Arsenal, Liverpool, and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), all of whom reportedly held direct talks and meetings with his representatives before the tournament. Additional clubs that were tracking his progress closely included Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Chelsea.
Heavily linked "I'd like to talk to you about going out for dinner" Tracking "Been keeping an eye on her"
The big tournament signings are players that wouldn't be linked but for that tournament (think Arshavin).