RB Leipzig secure Neil El Aynaoui loan move from Roma after late-window twists

RB Leipzig have signed Morocco midfielder Neil El Aynaoui from Roma on loan until the end of the 2026-27 season, with an option to make the transfer permanent.

The Bundesliga club confirmed the move after a series of developments during the summer transfer window, completing the deal before the market closed. El Aynaoui joins Leipzig after making 25 Serie A appearances for Roma last season, scoring once and providing two assists.

“​​With Neil El Aynaoui, we are welcoming a player who fits our profile and style of play perfectly,” said RB Leipzig sporting director Marcel Schafer.

“We are delighted to have secured his services before the close of the summer transfer window.”

Schafer added: “He is a very energetic and aggressive player, who offers great intensity without the ball and can also bring dynamism and creativity to midfield through his quality in possession.”

The 24-year-old began his professional career in the French second tier with boyhood club Nancy. His performances attracted the attention of Ligue 1 club Lens, where he moved in 2023.

El Aynaoui subsequently joined Roma in 2025 after impressing supporters in northern France with his high work rate and ability to cover ground. He made 49 league appearances during his time with Lens.

His career has also included significant European and international experience. He featured in the UEFA Champions League with Lens and the UEFA Europa League with Roma, while he has earned 22 caps for Morocco.

Six of those appearances came during the recent 2026 FIFA World Cup.

A dynamic box-to-box midfielder with strong dribbling ability, El Aynaoui gives Leipzig manager Martin Demichelis another option in the centre of the pitch. His arrival adds further depth to a squad that has already been strengthened by the signings of Christopher Nkunku and Rocco Reitz.

Both Nkunku and Reitz played a part in Leipzig’s emphatic victory over Borussia Monchengladbach on the opening matchday of the Bundesliga season.

Leipzig described El Aynaoui as a player whose energy and intensity can complement their approach, while his ability with the ball is expected to provide an additional creative dimension in midfield.

The loan arrangement leaves the German club with the option of securing his services on a permanent basis at the end of the 2026-27 campaign. His move to Leipzig marks the latest step in a career that has taken him from Nancy’s second division to top-level football in France, Italy and Europe, as well as the international stage with Morocco.