El Aynaoui completes move to Leipzig on loan with purchase option

Roma completed their summer transfer window on 1 September with six new signings but fell short of head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's full requirements. The club added Leonardo Balerdi, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Nahuel Molina, Marten de Roon, Rodrigo Mora and Santiago Castro, while also securing permanent moves for Daniele Ghilardi and Donyell Malen and extending contracts for Lorenzo Pellegrini and Paulo Dybala. Despite these arrivals, Gasperini's requests for a left winger and left-back went unfulfilled. Last-minute attempts to bolster the squad fell through. A move for Juventus defender Juan Cabal collapsed when the Colombian declined to join, while forward targets Florian Leweling and Jeremy Gittens also failed to materialise. Singer Damiano David reportedly became unexpectedly involved in discussions over Leweling's potential arrival. On the outgoing side, Neil El Aynaoui and Robinio Vaz departed the club, while the future of Salah-Eddine remains to be decided. Manu Koné, whose status had been uncertain, stays at Roma.

Roma's transfer window closed on 1 September with Manu Koné remaining at the club after Chelsea made late contact. The midfielder, who had generated concern earlier in the day, will stay as one of the cornerstones of Gian Piero Gasperini's project. Chelsea's calls were rejected immediately, with no formal offer or advanced negotiations reaching Roma. Gasperini had made his position clear after the Lecce match, stating his determination to keep Koné at all costs, and that stance held firm through the closing hours. Two late departures were confirmed. Neil El Aynaoui joined RB Leipzig on a four-million-euro loan with a €25 million purchase option and a percentage on future resale. Mattia Mannini also left Trigoria, moving to Benevento on loan with a €1.5 million purchase option, with Roma retaining 30 per cent of any future sale. Robinio Vaz is heading to Hull City, though the move awaits official confirmation. Jamie Leweling and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens will not wear Roma colours; both pursuits in the final days proved impossible. Chelsea refused to negotiate a loan arrangement for Bynoe-Gittens, making a deal with Roma unfeasible, while the Leweling attempt failed to complete. Radio commentary offered scepticism about squad depth. Angelo Mangiante said of Fenerbahçe's stance on Oosterwolde: "Fenerbahçe was suggesting that Oosterwolde could play a match within two weeks. Roma wanted to get medical examinations done already." Alessandro Vocalelli added: "I don't trust Dybala's condition. I hope the Argentine holds up as long as possible."

Neil El Aynaoui has departed AS Roma and joined RB Leipzig on loan with a right of purchase, the club confirmed on 1 September 2026. The Moroccan midfielder leaves after a single season in the Giallorossi colours, during which he made 35 appearances across league and cup competition and scored 2 goals. El Aynaoui arrived at Roma last summer on a five-year deal from Lens but did not establish himself as a regular starter. His move to the German club ends his spell in the Italian capital, at least temporarily, and represents a fresh start in the Bundesliga.

Roma completed their summer transfer window on 1 September with six new signings but fell short of head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's full requirements. The club added Leonardo Balerdi, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Nahuel Molina, Marten de Roon, Rodrigo Mora and Santiago Castro, while also securing permanent moves for Daniele Ghilardi and Donyell Malen and extending contracts for Lorenzo Pellegrini and Paulo Dybala. Despite these arrivals, Gasperini's requests for a left winger and left-back went unfulfilled. Last-minute attempts to bolster the squad fell through. A move for Juventus defender Juan Cabal collapsed when the Colombian declined to join, while forward targets Florian Leweling and Jeremy Gittens also failed to materialise. Singer Damiano David reportedly became unexpectedly involved in discussions over Leweling's potential arrival. On the outgoing side, Neil El Aynaoui and Robinio Vaz departed the club, while the future of Salah-Eddine remains to be decided. Manu Koné, whose status had been uncertain, stays at Roma.

Roma's transfer window closed on 1 September with Manu Koné remaining at the club after Chelsea made late contact. The midfielder, who had generated concern earlier in the day, will stay as one of the cornerstones of Gian Piero Gasperini's project. Chelsea's calls were rejected immediately, with no formal offer or advanced negotiations reaching Roma. Gasperini had made his position clear after the Lecce match, stating his determination to keep Koné at all costs, and that stance held firm through the closing hours. Two late departures were confirmed. Neil El Aynaoui joined RB Leipzig on a four-million-euro loan with a €25 million purchase option and a percentage on future resale. Mattia Mannini also left Trigoria, moving to Benevento on loan with a €1.5 million purchase option, with Roma retaining 30 per cent of any future sale. Robinio Vaz is heading to Hull City, though the move awaits official confirmation. Jamie Leweling and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens will not wear Roma colours; both pursuits in the final days proved impossible. Chelsea refused to negotiate a loan arrangement for Bynoe-Gittens, making a deal with Roma unfeasible, while the Leweling attempt failed to complete. Radio commentary offered scepticism about squad depth. Angelo Mangiante said of Fenerbahçe's stance on Oosterwolde: "Fenerbahçe was suggesting that Oosterwolde could play a match within two weeks. Roma wanted to get medical examinations done already." Alessandro Vocalelli added: "I don't trust Dybala's condition. I hope the Argentine holds up as long as possible."

Neil El Aynaoui has departed AS Roma and joined RB Leipzig on loan with a right of purchase, the club confirmed on 1 September 2026. The Moroccan midfielder leaves after a single season in the Giallorossi colours, during which he made 35 appearances across league and cup competition and scored 2 goals. El Aynaoui arrived at Roma last summer on a five-year deal from Lens but did not establish himself as a regular starter. His move to the German club ends his spell in the Italian capital, at least temporarily, and represents a fresh start in the Bundesliga.