RB Leipzig racing to rescue Neil El Aynaoui deal after final-hour hold-up

Neil El Aynaoui’s proposed move from AS Roma to RB Leipzig is at risk of collapsing in the closing hours of the transfer window, despite the Morocco international midfielder having initially chosen the Bundesliga club’s sporting project.

The transfer had appeared to be heading towards completion, with El Aynaoui expected to leave Roma for RB Leipzig. However, the deal has now become uncertain after a late blockage threatened to derail the agreement.

With time running out before the window closes, RB Leipzig must finalise the outstanding details if they are to complete the signing. If those issues cannot be resolved in time, El Aynaoui could remain with AS Roma at the start of the season.

The uncertainty comes after the midfielder rejected an approach from Crystal Palace earlier in the process. An agreement had already been reached between the Roma hierarchy and the Premier League club over the financial terms of a potential transfer.

El Aynaoui nevertheless turned down Crystal Palace’s proposal. The player, known as one of Morocco’s internationals, had initially preferred the sporting opportunity offered by RB Leipzig and had made that choice despite the agreement between AS Roma and the London club.

That decision appeared to point clearly towards a move to Germany. Instead, the situation has entered a race against time, leaving the player’s immediate future unresolved.

RB Leipzig now face the task of completing the remaining elements of the transfer before the deadline. The German club’s ability to settle those details will determine whether El Aynaoui moves to the Bundesliga or reports for the beginning of the season in Roma’s colours.

For now, the deal remains on a knife-edge. A transfer that seemed close to being sealed could still go through if the final obstacles are removed, but the possibility of a late collapse has become increasingly serious as the end of the window approaches.

El Aynaoui’s earlier decision to refuse Crystal Palace means the midfielder’s situation has taken a particularly uncertain turn. The financial understanding between Crystal Palace and AS Roma did not lead to a transfer because the player chose not to accept the Eagles’ proposal.

His preference was instead to join RB Leipzig, whose sporting plan had initially convinced him. That route is now under threat, however, with the Bundesliga club needing to act quickly to prevent the Morocco international from starting the season with AS Roma.