Lille’s young Moroccan striker, Sofiane Boufal, 22, has earned a reputation as one of European football’s hottest properties.
His performances in Ligue Un last season had already attracted the attention of Arsenal and Chelsea. Now Spanish champions, Barcelona, and Champions League finalists, Atletico Madrid, have joined the chase for his signature.
Lille signed the forward from Angers in January 2015 and having scored 14 goals for Lille, his price has risen to €25m, including bonuses dependent upon appearances and trophies.
Boufal is a versatile player, equally at home as a Number Ten or on the wing. With both English clubs keen to strengthen their forward lines, they were expected to be in pole position for his signature. That was thrown into doubt with his agent’s admission to Le10 sport that he had held talks with the two Spanish giants.
The player and his representatives are aware that breaking into the Catalans first team is a long-term project and need to weigh that up against a move to “a club where he is going to start matches and express his exceptional talent.”
Breaking into the first team at any of the pursuing clubs will be difficult but the reputations of Wenger and Simeone for trusting younger players and bringing them through the ranks quickly may count in their favour, more than the glamour of a move to Barcelona.
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