Nayel El Aynaoui transfer stalls as Roma’s deadline-day plans are thrown into doubt

The proposed transfer of Morocco midfielder Nayel El Aynaoui from Roma to RB Leipzig has been placed in serious doubt after new problems emerged during the final stages of the deal.

Several sources, led by French outlet Foot Mercato, report that the agreement between Roma and RB Leipzig is now at risk of breaking down, despite the move having appeared close to completion.

El Aynaoui had been expected to join the German club on loan for €4m. The deal was also set to include an option for RB Leipzig to make the transfer permanent for a further €25m at the end of the season.

That option would have become mandatory if certain conditions were met, although those conditions have not been disclosed.

The 24-year-old travelled on Monday to undergo a medical examination ahead of the proposed move. However, reports on Tuesday indicated that complications had emerged and were preventing the transfer from being completed.

The precise nature of the issues remains unclear. The uncertainty comes at a difficult moment for Roma, whose strategy during the final hours of the transfer window is understood to have become increasingly unsettled.

El Aynaoui’s potential departure had formed part of the Italian club’s wider plans for reshaping its midfield. If he remains at Roma because the move to RB Leipzig cannot be finalised, the club may have to reconsider its position regarding French midfielder Manu Kone.

Roma could then weigh up whether to accept Chelsea’s €60m offer for Kone. The possible sale would give the Italian side greater flexibility in the transfer market, but would also alter the balance of its squad if El Aynaoui is no longer moving to Germany.

Roma had also been attempting to complete a separate late deal for Stuttgart winger Jimmy Leweling. The proposed fee for that transfer was about €35m.

However, reports said the flight that was due to take Leweling from Germany to the Italian capital had been cancelled. That development has added to the uncertainty surrounding Roma’s activity before the transfer window closes.

Should the El Aynaoui deal collapse, Roma could instead look at a loan move for Jamie Bynoe-Gittens. The player, who operates in a similar position to Leweling, had already been identified as an alternative option.

For now, the Moroccan midfielder’s move to RB Leipzig remains unresolved. The transfer had progressed far enough for El Aynaoui to travel for medical tests, but the newly reported obstacles have left the agreement in doubt and could force Roma to revise several of its other late-window decisions.