Arsenal are in talks to sign the £43m sensation

Like any well-run outfit, Arsenal will be wary of being swept away by World Cup fever, drawn into signing players based on their performances this summer.

It’s a different story if it’s a player the Gunners are already looking at, however, and it’s hard not to be impressed by Morocco’s Ayyoub Bouaddi’s display, as the 2022 semi-finalists held Brazil to a 1-1 draw.

The eye-catching 18-year-old ran with Carlo Ancelotti’s side, showing why he is a player both Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal “want to sign”, according to French journalist Julien Laurens.

A rising star at Lille, this World Cup could be the perfect platform for the youngster to make his mark, although Mikel Arteta and his teammates won’t be the only ones watching.

Arsenal have been in talks to sign the World Cup talent for an estimated £43m

It has already been suggested that Arsenal are involved in talks to sign Bouaddi, although the headlines have been their pursuit of Club Brugge’s Christos Tzolis, a player who will miss out on this summer’s competition after Greece’s failure to qualify.

As revealed this week, the 24-year-old is said to be keen on a move to north London, and the Premier League champions could agree a deal for around £35m.

The arrival of Tzolis would not be Arteta’s only request to strengthen his attacking team, however, far from it, with Arsenal insiders also providing the latest on the club’s interest in Argentine sensation, Nico Paz.

According to the report, the suggestion is that talks have been held over a possible move for the Spanish-born player, with Arsenal said to have already carried out “regular checks”.

Real Madrid have the option to activate a buyout clause to bring the 21-year-old back to LaLiga, although the latest report suggests he is “confused” about his future, following talks with new Los Blancos boss Jose Mourinho.

In terms of the price tag, previous reports earlier this year revealed that Chelsea were considering a bid of around £43m.

Why would Paz be a bigger talent than Bouaddi

Morocco’s clash with Brazil gave Bouaddi a chance to show what he is all about, and that opportunity could come to Paz in the coming weeks, as he has been called up to Lionel Scaloni’s squad as Argentina look to defend their title.

There is the small matter of the South American giants boasting a left-footed number 10 named Lionel Messi, although don’t be surprised to see Paz take advantage if he is thrown into the fray this summer.

Indeed, it proved to be two incredible campaigns under former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas at Como, where the versatile player proved to be very effective in front of goal and as a creator in his own right.

In 2024/25, for example, he scored 14 goals and assists and created 11 ‘big chances’ in his 30 Serie A games, then improved that record with 18 goals and assists and 13 ‘big chances’ created in 33 outings this time around.

His 12 goals in 2025/26 also came while missing just three ‘big chances’, again highlighting just how good he is in the final third.

A graceful, playful operator between the lines, perhaps in the shoes of a certain Martin Odegaard, where Paz stood out and his defensive contribution, averaging 3.4 tackles and an interception per game last season.

In comparison, while Bouaddi operates in a deep number eight or six role, the Moroccan actually only averages 2.9 tackles and interceptions per game.

He’s still 18, it must be said, although there may be some concern about Bouaddi’s lack of progress, as he averages 0.7 key passes per game, while contributing a solitary assist.

As noted by DataMB, for example, the young gem ranked in the bottom 45% of midfielders to receive continuous passes and only a bottom 44% of forward passes were completed, not just one providing a sharp, probing pass to those in front of him.

As a ball-handler again, while Paz is a more advanced midfielder, it’s easy to see how he is, having averaged two successful goals per game in 2025/26, ahead of Bouaddi’s average of 1.1.

With 36 goals and assists in just 75 games in Italian football so far, the Como sensation has proven himself to be a star in the making, someone who could fit perfectly into Arteta’s ranks this summer.

Bouaddi is a talent in his own right, no doubt, but it’s Paz who may already be limited.