
Roma's loanees struggling as up to €50m at risk; El Aynaoui the exception at Leipzig
Roma are flying in Serie A under Gian Piero Gasperini, but the players sent out on loan last summer are failing to live up to expectations, and up to 50 million euros could be at risk. The situation does not yet directly affect the coach's work, but it could soon become a thorny issue for Trigoria. Beyond disappointing returns and reduced minutes, there are millions that could evaporate in wages, buy-back options and the value of the players' registrations. Roma had hoped to recoup that money, and it now risks becoming a missed opportunity. The clearest exception is Neil El Aynaoui, who joined Leipzig last summer and has convinced everyone in Germany. The Moroccco international has quickly become a regular starter and a fixed point of the side, with Demichelis never dropping him in either the Bundesliga or the Champions League. He has yet to score, but his performances are in line with expectations and his importance to Leipzig has grown game after game. The buy-back option, set at 25 million euros, now looks like a formality. A minor physical problem has prevented him from answering Morocco's call-up, a setback that for now does not change the picture of his German adventure. If Leipzig continue to back him with this conviction, the buy-back becomes more likely, allowing Trigoria to bring in a significant sum and recover much of the investment made to bring him to the capital. El Aynaoui represents the exception among many loans that risk becoming a boomerang for Roma. He is the only one who, for now, seems to have found the right place away from Rome, and he could allow the giallorossi to close the loans chapter, perhaps, with a smile.





