Neil El Aynaouis Roma future in doubt as RB Leipzig pursue summer deal

Morocco international Neil El Aynaoui is close to leaving Roma this summer, with RB Leipzig advancing their efforts to sign the 24-year-old midfielder.

According to Sky Sport, the Bundesliga club is nearing an agreement for El Aynaoui, who has become one of the most sought-after players in the current transfer window. RB Leipzig’s move has gathered momentum while the midfielder continues to attract interest from other European clubs.

El Aynaoui joined Roma in the summer of 2025 from French club Lens in a transfer worth more than €23m. He signed a contract running until the summer of 2030, meaning any departure so soon after his arrival would represent a significant change in the direction of his career.

The player had previously been linked with several clubs in England. Crystal Palace, Manchester United and Liverpool had all shown an interest in securing his services before RB Leipzig moved decisively into the race.

Those approaches had made El Aynaoui a prominent name in the summer market, but it is now the German club that appears closest to completing a deal. Sky Sport reports that RB Leipzig are approaching the point of finalising the transfer, although interest from elsewhere in Europe remains.

A move to Germany would see El Aynaoui leave Serie A after only one season with Roma. His existing agreement with the Italian club extends for another four years beyond the current campaign, but RB Leipzig’s pursuit has placed his future at Roma under fresh uncertainty.

El Aynaoui’s potential transfer would also come less than a year after Roma paid more than €23m to bring him to Italy from Lens. The Morocco international has therefore quickly become the subject of another major transfer, with clubs in England and Germany competing for his signature.

For now, RB Leipzig are the club making the strongest progress. Their interest has developed into a serious attempt to complete the deal, and the Bundesliga side is understood to be close to securing El Aynaoui’s move from Roma.

The midfielder remains under contract with Roma until 2030, but the developing negotiations suggest that his time in the Italian capital could be short. Should RB Leipzig conclude the agreement, El Aynaoui would continue his career in the Bundesliga after attracting attention from some of England’s leading clubs.