AS Roma have reached a verbal agreement with RC Lens to acquire the services of Moroccan international Nael El Aynaoui in the current summer transfer window.
The Italian giants is close to completing a deal for the midfielder, after missing out Palmeiras star Richard Reus. Roma continues to strengthen their squad for the new season under coach Gian Piero Gasperini.
After seeing an initial bid of €20m being rejected by RC Lens, the Italian outfit has improved it offer and are close to snatching the midfielder.
Despite being on the radar of a hosts of clubs including, AC Milan, Juventus, Premier League clubs, Sunderland AFC, Leeds United, and Wolverhampton Wanderers, Roma seems to have won the race to sign the Moroccan.
El Aynaoui is a product of the AS Nancy Lorraine academy. He made 61 appearances for the club – who were playing in the French third tier when El Aynaoui made the permanent switch to Lens in July 2023.
He quickly settled into life at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis. In his first season, he made 31 appearances for the club, including three UEFA Champions League starts. Building on a strong debut season with Les Sang et Or, the 2024–25 campaign proved to be El Aynaoui’s most fruitful to date. In 24 Ligue 1 appearances, he scored eight goals — all from midfield.
El Aynaoui has also represented Morocco internationally at U23 level, making his debut in September 2023. He is yet to receive his first senior call-up.
