Neil El Aynaoui heads to Bundesliga as RB Leipzig agree Roma loan

RB Leipzig have completed the signing of Morocco international Neil El Aynaoui from Roma on a season-long loan, bringing an end to late uncertainty over the 25-year-old midfielder’s move to the Bundesliga.

The German club confirmed the deal on Tuesday, after the transfer had appeared to be at risk of collapsing despite an agreement between the two clubs looking close to completion.

RB Leipzig also have an option to buy El Aynaoui at the end of the season. The midfielder will wear the number 21 shirt.

“World Cup star joins Leipzig. The 25-year-old Moroccan international moves on loan from Roma, with Leipzig retaining a purchase option as part of the deal,” RB Leipzig said in a statement.

The announcement followed El Aynaoui’s medical, which he underwent in preparation for the transfer. Reports of problems affecting the move subsequently raised doubts about whether the deal would be completed before the transfer window closed.

RB Leipzig ultimately overcame those obstacles to secure the player, who is now set to begin his first experience of German football.

The transfer follows El Aynaoui’s season with the Italian club, where competition for midfield places included Niccolo Pisilli, Bryan Cristante and Manu Kone. That strength in depth had made regular playing time more difficult to secure for the Morocco international.

RB Leipzig’s managing director for sport, Marcel Schafer, said El Aynaoui’s qualities made him a strong fit for the club.

“With the signing of Neil El Aynaoui, we are getting a player who fits our style of play and our profile perfectly. He is a very energetic player, characterised by his great enthusiasm without the ball, while also capable of bringing vitality and creativity to midfield thanks to his excellent ball-possession skills,” said Schafer.

He added: “Neil is good at asserting himself both with and without the ball and can cover large areas of the pitch. At the World Cup, he once again showed that he is capable of delivering his best performances at the highest level.

“At 25, Neil already has a great deal of experience, while still having plenty of room to develop. We have followed him for many years and monitored his progress closely. That is why we are delighted that he has joined Leipzig.”

El Aynaoui said RB Leipzig’s playing identity had been a major factor in his decision to move to Germany.

“RB Leipzig has an excellent reputation, and its style of play – with its high intensity, dynamism and ambition in possession – suits me perfectly and matches my strengths. I am really looking forward to joining Leipzig, getting to know the city and taking on the challenges ahead in the Bundesliga, the Champions League and the German Cup,” he told the club’s official website.

He continued: “The conversations with the club’s representatives and Martin Demichelis were very convincing from the start, which made the decision easier for me. I am very excited about this new challenge, cannot wait to play with the team and want to contribute to achieving our goals immediately.”

According to reports published before the official confirmation, RB Leipzig paid €4m to take El Aynaoui on loan. The club’s purchase option is understood to be worth €25m at the end of the campaign.

The agreement gives El Aynaoui the opportunity to establish himself in the Bundesliga while providing RB Leipzig with the option of making his move permanent.