Chelsea to hijack Arsenal move for Ayyoub Bouaddi

Chelsea are reportedly keen on beating Arsenal in the race to sign Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi this summer.

The Blues are likely to pursue a new central midfielder and reports claim that they prefer a young talent with huge potential.

Bouaddi has been earmarked as a prime target and the Blues are pulling out all the stops to land his services ahead of Arsenal.

Still, the Gunners could have an upper hand in the race, given that they can offer Champions League football, which the Blues can't.

On top of this, Mikel Arteta's side could provide the youngster with assured starting minutes alongside Declan Rice next term.

Chelsea, on the other hand, can't offer that assurance with Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez being regular starters for them.

Lille are open to parting ways with their prized asset for £60m. The club's president prefers to sell him abroad rather than negotiating terms with Paris Saint-Germain, who are also among Bouaddi's admirers.