Real Madrid News
Ligue 1 club will demand at least €70 million for Real Madrid midfield target – report
Ayyoub Bouaddi has emerged as one of the breakout stars at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Morocco, impressing in both their matches against Brazil and Scotland.
The 18-year-old Lille wonderkid’s performances have not gone unnoticed, with Real Madrid taking a keen interest in him.
Los Blancos have had their eye on the teenager for some time now, and the club chief scout, Juni Calafat, was in attendance for Morocco’s World Cup opener against Brazil, where the midfielder won the MVP award.
Real Madrid also had scouts present to watch Bouaddi in action in the subsequent game against Scotland.
Bouaddi to cost at least €70 million
Now, according to Patrick Berger of Sky Germany, Real Madrid have become very interested in signing Bouaddi after watching him closely at the World Cup.
The Merengues will continue to monitor his progress with Morocco at the tournament, but have seen enough to consider making a move for him this summer.
However, as per the report, the youngster’s club, Lille are demanding a sum of at least €70 million in order to sell their prized asset.
Despite being only 18 years old, the youngster has already made nearly 100 appearances for the Lille first team, while he has five caps for Morocco.
The fact that Bouaddi has a long-term contract with the Ligue 1 club until the summer of 2029 puts them in a strong negotiating position.
Moreover, with the midfielder also attracting interest from other top clubs, including PSG, the asking price could grow steeper.
Ball in Real Madrid’s court
In recent transfer windows, Real Madrid have shown they are not afraid of investing in talent and potential.
Jude Bellingham was signed for a massive initial fee of €103 million with close to €30 million in variables, while Endrick arrived from Brazil in a deal worth €60 million, including add-ons
Only last summer, Franco Mastantuono was brought in from River Plate for a total fee of €63 million, including taxes and commissions.
At €70 million, Bouaddi would likely be cheaper compared to Real Madrid’s other midfield targets – Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea and Mateus Fernandes of West Ham United.
What now remains to be seen is whether the Merengues consider Bouaddi a similar level of talent and are prepared to go the extra mile to secure his services from Lille.
Real Madrid’s performance against Real Betis was shambolic, to say the least as the team faced many of the problems that have haunted them over the past couple of years.
But on a night where most of the attackers struggled to create anything of note, Dean Huijsen emerged as a lone bright spark for Los Blancos.
Huijsen keeps his promise
As reported by MARCA, Huijsen was the standout performer for Real Madrid, marshalling the backline with real authority even as the team struggled around him.
There has been a noticeable shift in the young defender’s mentality this season, with the player showing more competitive nature and looking much fiercer.
This is an attitude Huijsen had always promised, having inherited the iconic number four shift from David Alaba, a number he associates with his idols Sergio Ramos and Fernando Hierro.
“What I do know is that I’ll give everything of myself every day, whether in training or in a game,” he vowed, and at La Cartuja he delivered on that word.
His primary task was neutralising Juan ‘Cucho’ Hernandez, and he did so superbly, drying up the Colombian’s supply and repeatedly anticipating danger.
He also held his own in a niggly battle with Antony, refusing to be ruffled by one of Betis’ most inspired performers.
His composure on the ball, one of the qualities that has elevated him, saw him venture forward, forcing a fine save from the goalkeeper in the 11th minute and later heading against the woodwork.
The Konate partnership grows
Alongside him, Ibrahima Konate did his job, albeit without matching his partner’s brilliance.
The Frenchman was a little less assured, both in and out of possession, reflecting the two speeds of the centre-back pairing.
Huijsen looks settled and increasingly commanding, while Konate is still building the sharpness needed to reach his best in white.
Nonetheless, the partnership is heading in the right direction, and in Huijsen, Real Madrid appear to have unearthed a genuine leader for an area that has long been a weakness.
Each performance is also an argument to Luis de la Fuente, as the defender looks to reclaim the Spain spot he lost before the World Cup.
