Neil El Aynaoui Agrees to Join AS Roma as Clubs Hammer Out Deal

Neil El Aynaoui is ready to join AS Roma on a five-year contract. The clubs are now negotiating a transfer fee.

According to a previous report, AS Roma has agreed to a five-year deal with Neil El Aynaoui.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The French-Moroccan midfielder has agreed to move to AS Roma with a contract until 2030. Roma offered Lens €22 million plus €3 million in add-ons after their initial €20 million offer was declined.

A previous report confirmed that AS Roma’s initial €20 million offer for Neil El Aynaoui was rejected by RC Lens.

Lens wants at least €30 million. Despite El Aynaoui’s desire to join Roma, Lens is firm on the price. Roma is committed but won’t pay more. They might leave the deal if their conditions aren’t met.

RC Lens is seeking €30 million for Neil El Aynaoui, according to a previous report.

WHY IS EL AYNAOUI SO SOUGHT-AFTER?

El Aynaoui had an impressive season at Lens, playing 25 times, scoring eight goals, and providing one assist.

According to a previous report, Neil El Aynaoui scored eight goals and provided one assist in the 2024/25 Ligue 1 season.

His performances were a highlight as Lens finished 8th in Ligue 1, missing out on Europe. Other clubs are interested in him, including some from the Premier League, but Lens still sees him as vital to their squad. Roma sees the 24-year-old as a great partner for Manu Koné in their new midfield under Gian Piero Gasperini. They aim to compete for higher places in Serie A next season.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR ROMA AND LENS?

Talks will continue in the coming days as Roma wants to complete the transfer ahead of preseason. Roma is set to start their Serie A campaign soon, aiming to better last season’s 5th place, which was behind Juventus in 4th.

AS Roma finished fifth in the Serie A in the 2024/25 season, reported a previous report.

Their first league match is against Bologna, also seeking mid-table stability. If Lens sells El Aynaoui, they must quickly find a replacement before their Ligue 1 opener against Lyon who seems to get to the match weakened after being faced with fines from the Ligue 1 and selling players as a consequence. Both clubs face important weeks as they finalize their squads for the new season.