Arsenal and Chelsea duo battle for Lille winger

Zach Holland
Sofiane Boufal: Linked with White Hart Lane move

Sofiane Boufal: Linked with White Hart Lane move

Arsenal and Chelsea are both ready to meet Lille’s price-tag for winger Sofiane Boufal but face competition from Barcelona, according to reports.

According to reports in the Guardian the Premier League giants have indicated that they are willing to pay Lille’s £20million valuation of Boufal, with Arsenal said to have been scouting the 22-year-old since January.

However both clubs may face competition from Spain for the player’s services as both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have shown their interest in the player, while Tottenham were interested in the player last year.

Boufal’s agent, Yvan Le Mee has even confirmed that he has held talks with Barcelona over a potential move.

Speaking to French outlet Le 10 Sport, Le Mee said: “We did have a meeting with the leadership of FC Barcelona in the last few weeks. There is an interest.

“Now the reflection is whether Sofiane Boufal will go to Barcelona to compete with MSN (Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar) or should he go to a club where he is going to start matches and express his exceptional talent.

“We have also initiated discussions with three other clubs that interest us, but they either have or will change their coach or the coach is in charge of a national team at the Euros.

“In England, there is interest, but the English market is just beginning. A transfer of 20 and 25 million euros is not resolved in two weeks, of course.”

The forward only signed for Lille in 2015 but the Moroccan international has enjoyed another stellar season and impressed greatly for the Ligue 1 club after scoring 11 goals and helping his side finish fifth in the league last season.