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El Aynaoui fails to impress Gasperini as Roma hunt midfield alternatives
·26 August 2026·2h ago

El Aynaoui fails to impress Gasperini as Roma hunt midfield alternatives

Source: Forza Roma

Neil El Aynaoui has not won over Gasperini in his first season at Roma and would be allowed to leave if a suitable offer arrived. Crystal Palace have shown strong interest in the former Lens player, and the English club could table an official bid in the coming days. Roma value El Aynaoui at €30–35 million; Crystal Palace are considering their position with the transfer window closing in just over a week. Before Roma's match against Fiorentina, sporting director Tony D'Amico stated: "It is difficult to imagine a sale a week before the end of the market."

Roma are preparing contingency plans. Frank Kessiè, who played under Gasperini at Bergamo a decade ago and is currently a free agent, has emerged as a potential replacement. Juventus, managed by Massara, also hold strong interest in Kessiè—a development that may mask a tactical negotiating move. Richard Rios, a Colombian midfielder who never left Gasperini's thinking, remains a priority option; he could leave Benfica after just one year for around €30 million. Two further targets have been scouted in recent weeks: Yasin Ayari of Brighton, valued at €40 million and also tracked by Borussia Dortmund, and Habib Diarra of Sunderland, who shares representation with Fofana, Luis Henrique and Endrick.

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Testo Originale / Source Text

Tredici mesi e qualche giorno fa, di questi tempi, si discuteva dell'arrivo di Neil El Aynaoui che sembrava un ripiego di Massara dopo l'affare tramontato per Richard Rios. Nella sua prima stagione romanista, il marocchino ha mostrato luci ed ombre non entrando però di fatto nelle grazie di…

Read the full article in Italian at Forza Roma.

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