Source: TeleRadioStereo
Neil El Aynaoui is poised to leave Roma after just one season, with Crystal Palace having tabled an opening offer structured as a loan with a right of purchase that would convert to an obligation under certain conditions. Roma value the midfielder at €30–35 million and are seeking either a permanent sale or a guaranteed obligation to buy, neither of which Crystal Palace's initial proposal meets. Bayer Leverkusen has also shown interest, while Saudi Arabian clubs registered prior enquiries.
El Aynaoui's potential departure would mark the near-complete dismantling of the squad built last summer by director of football Frédéric Massara under the supervision of head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Bought from Lens a year ago for €23 million plus €2 million in bonuses, El Aynaoui was among Massara's primary investments in summer 2025 and arrived following protracted negotiations for Richard Rios, whom Gasperini had identified as a target midfielder. Yet twelve months on, he has failed to establish himself as a central figure in Roma's project. Of the eight main signings Massara made that summer—El Aynaoui, Wesley, Ghilardi, Evan Ferguson, Bailey, Jan Ziółkowski, Vasquez and Zelezny, plus further arrivals during the season including Robinio Vaz and Donyell Malen in January—almost none remain integrated into the first-team plan. Bailey departed in January; Ferguson and Kostas Tsimikas have returned to their parent clubs; Zaragoza, Venturino and Zelezny have left; Ziółkowski is bound for Monza; and Robinio Vaz is joining Hull City on a paid loan with a purchase option. Only Wesley and Malen have endured as meaningful squad members—notably, both were explicitly endorsed by Gasperini himself.
The wholesale reversal reflects a fundamental disconnect between Massara's construction and Gasperini's tactical requirements. The head coach arrived with precise ideas about player profiles: intensity, one-on-one strength, athletic capability, aggression, willingness to defend in open play, and specific positional characteristics. Much of Massara's market activity, the article suggests, proceeded on different criteria. El Aynaoui, aged 25 with international appeal and genuine quality—hardly a failed signing on financial grounds—has attracted bids from Champions League and Bundesliga clubs yet appears expendable to Roma's current thinking. A sale at €30–35 million would recoup the initial investment while generating profit useful for UEFA financial compliance, and would free capital to invest in a midfielder Roma believes better suited to Gasperini's system alongside an attacking winger the head coach has requested for weeks.
Roma has already absorbed a year of transfer misalignment and is now attempting correction. Should El Aynaoui depart, Wesley and Malen will stand as the last substantial survivors of Massara's legacy—both players explicitly favoured by Gasperini. The club cannot afford further directional error; Tony D'Amico must construct a roster that is recognisable, coherent and durable, avoiding a return to similar discussions in August 2027 regarding the summer 2026 window.
● AI Generated Summary
This summary was generated by an AI model. Always read the source for complete and accurate information.
Neil El Aynaoui's future at Roma is in genuine doubt as the transfer window enters its final days. Crystal Palace has tabled an official bid structured as a loan with a right of purchase that could become mandatory under certain conditions, but the offer falls short of Roma's valuation of €30–35 million. The club is demanding either an outright sale or a guaranteed obligation to buy. Bayer Leverkusen has also registered interest in the 25-year-old winger, and Saudi Arabian clubs have approached the player in recent days. TeleRadioStereo reports that El Aynaoui's potential departure would mark the near-complete dismantling of the squad assembled by sporting director Frederic Massara one year ago, when the winger was signed from Lens for €23 million plus €2 million in add-ons.
The significance extends beyond a single transaction. El Aynaoui has not become central to coach Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma, and a sale in the €30–35 million range would recover the original investment while generating profit useful for UEFA financial compliance. More broadly, it would crystallise the systematic removal of Massara's summer 2025 recruits—Wesley, Daniele Ghilardi, Evan Ferguson, Bailey, Jan Ziółkowski and others—in favour of a squad aligned with Gasperini's tactical demands. Only Wesley and Donyell Malen remain unchallenged, both having received Gasperini's direct endorsement.
Meanwhile, Forza Roma reports that Roma are operating on tight financial margins and pursuing defensive reinforcement. The club is evaluating Nayef Aguerd as a loan option, with Thilo Kehrer also under consideration. Ziółkowski is expected to leave once Roma secure a replacement. Gasperini expects significant forward reinforcement in the final days of the window, and the club has made a fresh attempt with Chelsea for the loan of Gittens.
AI synthesis of all sources below — always check the originals.
Testo Originale / Source Text
“La possibile cessione di Neil El Aynaoui non sarebbe una normale operazione di fine mercato. Sarebbe qualcosa di più: probabilmente l’ultimo capitolo della cancellazione quasi completa della Roma costruita appena un anno fa da Frederic Massara. Il centrocampista marocchino è finito concretamente…”
Read the full article in Italian at TeleRadioStereo.
Roma have officially completed the sale of Jan Ziolkowski to Monza. The deal is structured as a loan worth €1 million with a €18 million option to buy. There is no obligation clause included in the agreement.
Marten De Roon was officially announced as a Roma signing on 30 August, becoming the club's sixth summer reinforcement under Gian Piero Gasperini following the arrival of Leonardo Balerdi. The Dutch midfielder spoke to the club's official media, addressing his transfer, his long-standing relationship with Gasperini, and a previous social media episode that drew criticism from Roma supporters. De Roon spent nine years under Gasperini at his previous club, where he served as captain. "I've played nine years with him, we achieved fantastic results. I was his captain, he took me to a very high level. I thank him for that," De Roon said. "We spoke a day ago, we did this move quickly and he gave me the opportunity to come here. The club also wanted me, and that's not guaranteed: I thank everyone." On joining Roma, he added: "I'm super happy, it's beautiful. A transfer like this, to a big club, is special. I've seen the training ground: it's the highest level. I'm very keen to start." Regarding a controversial social media post from his time as an opponent of Roma, De Roon apologised to the fanbase. "On that occasion I think I crossed the line," he said. "There's an explanation: it sounds like an excuse, but it's the only time I didn't authorise the post, because I had an interview after the match. I'm sorry, because I went too far." He stressed his commitment to proving himself on the pitch: "I want to demonstrate on the field who I am: someone who goes beyond, who gives everything for the shirt. Now I have to repay this trust with actions." De Roon highlighted the strength of Roma's squad, mentioning Bryan Cristante, Paulo Dybala and Gianluca Mancini, and noted the presence of fellow Dutch players Donyell Malen and Devyne Rensch. On playing at the Olimpico, he said: "The stadium is something special: every time I've played here I've been impressed, always full and with very passionate fans. Bringing Champions League to the Olimpico against strong teams will give us an amazing atmosphere."
Marten De Roon arrived at Roma on 30 August as a surprise move to replace Neil El Aynaoui. The 35-year-old Dutch midfielder has signed a one-year contract worth €2 million net. Roma will pay a maximum of €600,000 in bonuses to secure the deal, with the club finding support from the Atalanta ownership to release De Roon on favourable terms.
Marten De Roon arrived at Roma on 30 August as a surprise move to replace Neil El Aynaoui. The 35-year-old Dutch midfielder has signed a one-year contract worth €2 million net. Roma will pay a maximum of €600,000 in bonuses to secure the deal, with the club finding support from the Atalanta ownership to release De Roon on favourable terms.
Neil El Aynaoui has left Roma to join RB Leipzig on loan. The deal is structured as a loan with an upfront fee of €3 million plus €1 million in performance bonuses, with Leipzig holding a purchase option valued at €28 million. Roma have also negotiated a sell-on clause worth approximately 20 per cent of any future transfer fee if Leipzig later sell the player. The departure allows Roma to generate immediate revenue and create additional financial flexibility ahead of the closing of the summer transfer window. The club intends to redirect those resources toward the attacking department, where the search for a new winger remains an active priority.
Marten de Roon has joined Roma from Atalanta on a free transfer and is available for Gasperini's squad for today's away fixture at Lecce. The Dutch midfielder has signed a one-year contract until 2027 worth 2 million euros net, with performance bonuses including a scudetto bonus totalling up to 600,000 euros. He takes the number 15 shirt and brings midfield experience to the club. De Roon's arrival follows the departure of Neil El Aynaoui, who has joined RB Leipzig on a costly loan deal worth 3 million euros with a purchase option set at 28 million. The move resolves a squad imbalance at the heart of Gasperini's midfield in the final days of the transfer window.
Roma face Lecce at Stadio Via del Mare on 31 August at 18:30 in a Serie A fixture. Four major Italian newspapers predict a 3–4–1–2 formation, with Mile Svilar in goal, a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso, and Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen as the attacking pair. Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné are expected in midfield, with Wesley operating as a full-back. The main variance in predicted lineups centres on one defensive position. Corriere dello Sport, Il Messaggero, Il Tempo and Corriere della Sera all expect Emanuele Lulli at left-back, while Gazzetta dello Sport forecasts Nahuel Molina in that role. All four outlets agree on the remainder of the eleven, including Rodrigo Mora as the number 10 behind the two forwards.
Roma travel to Lecce's Via del Mare stadium on 31 August at 18:30 for the second round of Serie A fixtures, looking to build on a convincing 4–0 victory over Fiorentina. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini has few selection doubts, with Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen leading the attack. The main uncertainty lies at right-back, where Emanuele Lulli and Nahuel Molina are competing for the starting role. Gasperini will also be able to call on two new signings, Balerdi and De Roon. Multiple Italian outlets have published predicted lineups for the fixture. Most expect a 3–4–1–2 formation, with Roma's starting XI likely to feature Mile Svilar in goal, Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso in defence, Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné in midfield, Wesley at left-back, Rodrigo Mora in an attacking midfield role, and Dybala and Malen in the forward line. The key variable remains the right-back position, with some outlets favouring Molina and others backing Lulli for the role.
Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are set to lead Roma's attack in the coming fixture after Gasperini's side won their opening match against Fiorentina. The defence remains unchanged, with Gianluca Mancini leading Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso, while the right-sided midfield spot is in contention between Emanuele Lulli and Nahuel Molina. Rodrigo Mora appears assured of a starting role in the attacking midfield position, though Matías Soulé—who has been at the centre of transfer speculation—offers an alternative. De Roon joined the squad today and will be available from the bench for his Roma debut. The Italian newspapers project five likely lineups in a 3-4-1-2 formation, with most backing Lulli at right-back over Molina, though La Gazzetta dello Sport and Tuttosport diverge from the consensus. Tuttosport fields Soulé in a 3-4-2-1 shape, pairing him with Dybala ahead of Malen, while the other four outlets retain Mora in the number 10 role with Dybala and Malen as the primary attacking pair. Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné remain central midfield constants, with Wesley deployed on the left.
Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad for Roma's Serie A matchday 2 fixture against Lecce. Neil El Aynaoui and Robinio Vaz are absent from the squad list, both players close to departing the club. Devyne Rensch and Lorenzo Pellegrini are also unavailable through injury. The 24-man squad features goalkeepers Svilar, De Marzi and Gollini. In defence, Gasperini has included Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Balerdi, Wesley, Lulli and Ghilardi. Midfield options are Cristante, Koné, Pisilli and Mora, while attack is covered by Castro, Malen, Soulé and Dybala.
Roma have named their travelling squad for the match at Lecce following their home victory against Fiorentina. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has included new signing Leonardo Balerdi in the squad, and De Roon will also depart with the team after receiving official clearance overnight. Devyne Rensch remains unavailable but is expected to return to the manager's disposal on Tuesday. Lorenzo Pellegrini is absent, as are Jan Ziółkowski and Robinio Vaz due to transfer matters. The squad list shows Gasperini has named three goalkeepers: Mile Svilar, Giorgio De Marzi and Pierluigi Gollini. In defence, the group includes Konstantinos Koulierakis, Evan N'Dicka, Nahuel Molina, Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini, Balerdi, Wesley, Emanuele Lulli and Daniele Ghilardi. The midfield contingent comprises Bryan Cristante, Manu Koné, Niccolò Pisilli, Rodrigo Mora and De Roon. Up front, Roma have Santiago Castro, Donyell Malen, Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala available.
Roma travel to face Lecce on 1 September 2026 for their second official fixture of the season, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini nearly at full strength. The major news is the inclusion of Leonardo Balerdi, confirmed as a Roma player on 30 August, alongside other new arrivals Konstantinos Koulierakis, Rodrigo Mora, Santiago Castro and Nahuel Molina. Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch remain unavailable and are expected to return to group training next week. Notably absent from the squad are de Roon—who arrived in the capital on 30 August but has not yet been officially confirmed—and Neil El Aynaoui. Robinio Vaz is also out, as the forward is on the verge of transferring to Hull City pending Roma's approval and the arrival of another striker. The full squad list: Goalkeepers: Mile Svilar, Giorgio De Marzi, Pierluigi Gollini. Defenders: Koulierakis, Evan N'Dicka, Molina, Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini, Balerdi, Wesley, Emanuele Lulli, Daniele Ghilardi. Midfielders: Bryan Cristante, Manu Koné, Niccolò Pisilli, Mora. Forwards: Castro, Donyell Malen, Matías Soulé, Paulo Dybala.