Leipzig joins race for El Aynaoui as European interest mounts

Roma are revisiting their interest in Colombian midfielder Richard Rios as they reshape their transfer targets this summer. With Neil El Aynaoui facing an increasingly likely departure to Leipzig, the club are exploring alternatives in midfield. Rios, who was at the centre of a protracted transfer saga last summer before joining Benfica, is now available on loan according to reports. Contacts are ongoing between Roma and Benfica, as well as directly with Rios's representatives. Turkish side Besiktas are also pursuing the player. El Aynaoui's potential exit has accelerated Roma's search for reinforcement in the middle of the park, even as the club continues to prioritise attacking recruitment. According to Fabrizio Romano, discussions between Roma and Leipzig for El Aynaoui are progressing on the basis of a loan with a purchase option. Roma are also exploring a separate target, André, though details of that approach remain limited.

Roma's transfer window remains active with the club prioritising attack while weighing potential departures in other areas. Neil El Aynaoui is available for transfer, which would open a gap in midfield. With Kessie having joined Atalanta, Roma have scouted André, the Brazilian midfielder at Wolverhampton, according to Sky Sport. A class of 2001, André's contract runs until 2030 after his arrival in England in 2024. Last season, marked by Wolverhampton's relegation, he made 35 appearances, scoring once but accumulating 12 yellow cards.

Roma are targeting Wolverhampton midfielder André to strengthen their midfield. The Brazilian midfielder is among the profiles being closely followed by the Roma management as they look to improve the squad ahead of the 2026-27 season. According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Roma made an exploratory approach for André on 29 August.

Roma are revisiting their interest in Colombian midfielder Richard Rios as they reshape their transfer targets this summer. With Neil El Aynaoui facing an increasingly likely departure to Leipzig, the club are exploring alternatives in midfield. Rios, who was at the centre of a protracted transfer saga last summer before joining Benfica, is now available on loan according to reports. Contacts are ongoing between Roma and Benfica, as well as directly with Rios's representatives. Turkish side Besiktas are also pursuing the player. El Aynaoui's potential exit has accelerated Roma's search for reinforcement in the middle of the park, even as the club continues to prioritise attacking recruitment. According to Fabrizio Romano, discussions between Roma and Leipzig for El Aynaoui are progressing on the basis of a loan with a purchase option. Roma are also exploring a separate target, André, though details of that approach remain limited.

Roma's transfer window remains active with the club prioritising attack while weighing potential departures in other areas. Neil El Aynaoui is available for transfer, which would open a gap in midfield. With Kessie having joined Atalanta, Roma have scouted André, the Brazilian midfielder at Wolverhampton, according to Sky Sport. A class of 2001, André's contract runs until 2030 after his arrival in England in 2024. Last season, marked by Wolverhampton's relegation, he made 35 appearances, scoring once but accumulating 12 yellow cards.

Franck Kessié has completed his move back to Italy, signing with Atalanta on a multi-year contract after nine years away from the club. The Ivorian midfielder will not join Roma or Juventus, with Juventus withdrawing from negotiations today and Roma never seriously pursuing the deal. Roma declined to advance the transfer because of the overall cost package—salary, signing bonus and agent fees proved prohibitive. The club's position remains unchanged: it will not buy a midfielder unless Neil El Aynaoui departs, and any departure would only be permanent. Roma has rejected loan offers for El Aynaoui and is holding out for a definitive sale from their Trigoria offices. Atalanta announced the signing in a late-afternoon statement: "Atalanta BC is pleased to announce it has registered midfielder Franck Kessié on a multi-year contract. The Ivorian national team midfielder returns to wear the Atalanta shirt after nine years and many career successes. In recent spells he won a Serie A title with Milan, a La Liga title and Spanish Super Cup with Barcelona, a Saudi Super Cup and two AFC Champions League titles with Al-Ahli, and an Africa Cup of Nations with his national team in 2024."