Andrea Berta clarifies Ayyoub Bouaddi's stance as Arsenal face 'record breaking' need

Arsenal's search for new attacking stars continues to hit the headlines as Andrea Berta and Mikel Arteta work through a wish list of targets.

Two names that have stood out in recent days are Christos Tzolis and Morgan Rogers.

Tzolis enjoyed an impressive campaign for Club Brugge last season, finishing 25/26 with 22 goals and 29 assists in all competitions.

Those numbers helped establish the Greek player as one of the most prolific attacking players anywhere in Europe.

Arsenal are among the clubs who should understandably be wary.

The versatile striker can play anywhere and offers the kind of creativity and product to keep Arteta's prices high.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa star Rogers is yet another player of interest to Arsenal's recruitment team.

The England international has developed into one of the most exciting attacking talents in the Premier League and is considered by many to be one of the country's leading creators at the moment.

Both players remain firmly on Arsenal's radar.

However, while strengthening the attack is the main objective, the club is also planning for the future in midfield.

That brought one of Ligue 1's rising stars into sharp focus.

Andrea Berta has 'decided' to sign Arsenal's Ayyoub Bouaddi

According to TEAMtalk's Graeme Bailey, Arsenal's interest in Lille striker Ayyoub Bouaddi goes back further than most fans might realise.

His report says that Arsenal have been in talks with the Moroccan star's representatives for almost three years.

That long-standing relationship highlights how the Gunners view the midfielder.

Bouaddi has emerged as one of the most exciting talents in European football.

Although he is only 18 years old, he has already established himself as a key player for Lille and Morocco, while continuing to attract the attention of other big clubs on the continent.

The young player played in a 1-1 draw with Brazil in the World Cup, and that raised his level.

His technical level, maturity on the ball and tactical intelligence have made him one of the most outstanding midfielders in Europe, so Arsenal are not alone in the race.

PSG – who are Berta's biggest rivals – Liverpool and Man City have all been tipped to be interested in the youngster with TT sources describing him as a 'special talent'.

So the competition for his signature is expected to be intense.

This is where Berta's role becomes more important.

According to Bailey, Arsenal's sporting director is 'personally determined' to win Bouaddi's battle.

Since arriving at the Emirates, Berta has quickly become one of the driving forces behind the club's recruitment strategy.

The biggest hurdle in the end would be the price.

Lille are reportedly preparing to demand more than £60 million before considering a sale, and that figure would be unusual for a player of Bouaddi's age.

In fact, TEAMtalk claims that such a transfer fee would make him the most expensive player ever signed at that stage of his career.

Three years of foundation is over, but now comes the hard part.

Arsenal must convince Bouaddi that their project is stronger than those on offer elsewhere, including European champions PSG.

With Berta personally leading the charge and Arteta eager to continue building for the future, the Gunners are unlikely to back down from the challenge.