AJ Auxerre turn down Arsenal approach for highly rated Moroccan teenager Elyes Saïdi

AJ Auxerre have rejected an approach from Arsenal for Moroccan U17 international Elyes Saïdi, with the French club determined to keep hold of a player they regard as one of their most exciting emerging talents, according to information reported by Africafoot.

The Premier League side is said to have sought to recruit the teenager for their reserve setup, but Auxerre declined to enter negotiations.

The club believes Saïdi has the potential to reach its senior squad in the near future and is unwilling to consider his departure at this stage of his development.

Despite being just 17, Saïdi has already journeyed through the academies of several well-known French sides, including Olympique de Marseille and Toulon, before arriving at Auxerre.

He has featured six times across AJA’s reserve and U19 teams this season, performances that have strengthened internal expectations about his long-term promise even if they have not yet yielded a goal or assist.

His reputation was significantly enhanced at the U17 World Cup, where he finished as the tournament’s leading creator with three assists.

His reading of the game and his ability to dictate the rhythm of play drew praise from observers and supporters, reinforcing views within Auxerre that he possesses the qualities needed to progress swiftly through the club’s structure.

Saïdi began formal training in 2015 after joining his first club in southern France at the age of seven.

He moved to Auxerre in 2023 on a free transfer, a decision that has proved increasingly valuable for a club eager to nurture young talent capable of shaping its future.

Auxerre now turn their attention to their upcoming Ligue 1 fixture against Lyon.

According to odds provided by 1xbet, the match offers a range of outcomes for bettors, with Auxerre priced at 3.8 to win, 3.37 for a draw, and Lyon at 1.90.

The encounter comes at a moment when the club is keen to maintain focus on its sporting objectives amid rising attention around its brightest academy prospects.