United’s pursuit of French midfield orchestrator under serious threat from Atletico Madrid – report

Manchester United are currently eighth in the Premier League table after 14 games this season, two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea. The Red Devils invested heavily in their attack this summer, and are now expected to focus on the midfield in 2026.

Ruben Amorim has deployed a pivot of Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro this season to mixed effect. Both players, however, are on the wrong side of 30, so reinforcements are necessary. The Brazilian, meanwhile, is also out of contract at the end of this season, and has not been offered a new deal yet.

United are also sweating on the future of Kobbie Mainoo, while Manuel Ugarte has failed to live up to expectations since arriving from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) around 18 months ago.

A recent report relayed by The Peoples Person states that the Premier League giants have identified talented Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi as an option to strengthen their midfield.

The right profile for United

Bouaddi rose through the ranks at the Ligue 1 club before breaking into the senior side in 2023. He has already established himself in the senior side and has made 18 appearances across all competitions this season, 15 of which have been starts.

Ayyoub Bouaddi Stats: 2025/26 Season

Source: Transfermarkt.

Bouaddi is highly press-resistant, exceptional on the ball, and has a wise head on his shoulders, attributes that have already endeared him to United.

A recent report relayed by The Peoples Person, however, states that the player has already signed a new deal with Lille until 2029, so prising him away will not be easy. It now appears that the Red Devils will also face competition from a Spanish side in the race for the 18 year old’s signature.

Atletico Madrid want Bouaddi

According to Fichajes, Atletico Madrid are preparing a €50 million offer to convince Lille to let their prized asset go. The La Liga giants have had their eyes on Bouaddi for a while and view him as an ideal addition to Diego Simeone’s squad.

Los Rojiblancos are keen to beat the competition for the youngster’s signature, which is why they are planning to make a move for him in the winter market.

The update will not please INEOS, so United may have to step up their efforts if they wish to secure Bouaddi’s signature.

Final Thoughts

Bouaddi is a generational talent and a profile that United are missing at the moment. The youngster’s ability to dictate the tempo of games and his technical nous make him an ideal fit in Amorim’s system, and perhaps also a cheaper alternative to someone like Elliot Anderson.

There is a risk associated with the move, especially since the Frenchman does not have much experience of top-tier football and may take time to adapt to the Premier League. However, if the Red Devils are willing to afford Bouaddi time to flourish, he could turn out to be a game-changer for the club.

Feature image Christof Koepsel via Getty Images

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