AS Roma Make Transfer for El Aynaoui as RC Lens Brace for Extra Departures
RC Lens discover themselves within the thick of a full of life summer season switch window, with exercise on each ends of the pitch. The membership has already strengthened its squad with goalkeeper Robin Risser on a five-year deal and has welcomed again Guinean ahead Morgan Guilavogui. They’ve additionally agreed phrases with Brondby’s Mathias Kvistgaarden, a 23-year-old striker anticipated to bolster their assault.
As Jean-Louis Leca, the brand new sporting director, defined, “We’ll already need to see who leaves. We’ll need to make some changes.” His remarks mirror a cautious strategy to squad constructing, with Lens eager to not overcommit earlier than assessing potential exits.
Some of the high-profile names doubtlessly on the best way out is Neil El Aynaoui. The 24-year-old midfielder has turn into a cornerstone at Lens after one other sturdy season that includes eight assists and one objective. With a contract that runs till 2027, he represents not solely a tactical asset but additionally a substantial monetary one.
Curiosity grows from prime European golf equipment
Foot Mercato studies that a number of main European golf equipment have registered curiosity in El Aynaoui, with Italian giants main the chase. AS Roma have taken concrete steps by coming into discussions with Lens, and insider Matteo Moretto has revealed that an preliminary supply of €20 million has already been made. That determine is but to be accepted, however negotiations are anticipated to proceed over the approaching days.
Juventus and AC Milan are additionally mentioned to be monitoring the state of affairs intently, whereas Premier League sides Leeds United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Championship outfit Sunderland are all monitoring the participant. El Aynaoui, for his half, seems prepared for a contemporary problem, with Foot Mercato stating: “He needs to find a brand new league regardless of curiosity from French golf equipment.”
Roma’s curiosity is smart. Jose Mourinho’s successors proceed to reshape the squad with youth and dynamism, and El Aynaoui, a product of AS Nancy-Lorraine, matches the temporary. His composure in midfield and rising management make him an interesting prospect for golf equipment with European aspirations.
Lens reluctant to let star man go
Whereas Lens have already seen Facundo Medina depart for Marseille, the membership’s management is reportedly eager to keep away from a hearth sale. Protecting El Aynaoui is a precedence, and the inner feeling is that he has not but reached his peak.
Will Nonetheless, his former supervisor, captured that sentiment succinctly: “You need to construct one thing round him as a result of he’s nonetheless younger. He nonetheless has lots to do right here. I believe he has a management function within the group that he’s beginning to embrace too.”
That imaginative and prescient, nonetheless, could quickly be challenged. Ought to Roma or any of the opposite suitors return with an improved supply, the monetary incentive could also be laborious to disregard. For a membership like Lens, balancing long-term sporting success with monetary sustainability is a fragile operation. If they’ll extract a sizeable price and reinvest properly, it is perhaps a practical choice.
Participant profile and future prospects
El Aynaoui’s recreation is constructed round technical intelligence, environment friendly distribution and a powerful work ethic. He’s the type of midfielder who does the fundamentals extraordinarily effectively and more and more provides progressive parts to his play. His eight assists within the 2023-24 season display a rising affect in attacking transitions, whereas his tactical self-discipline permits others round him higher freedom.
Golf equipment like Roma and Juventus worth these qualities. For Sunderland, Leeds and Wolves, El Aynaoui might supply each stability and a contact of aptitude in midfield. His adaptability throughout varied midfield roles provides worth, particularly in additional bodily demanding leagues just like the Premier League.
With golf equipment circling and Lens already busy reshaping their squad, the approaching weeks are prone to decide whether or not El Aynaoui stays in France or checks himself overseas.
Our View – EPL Index
From a Sunderland supporter’s perspective, the potential of Neil El Aynaoui arriving on the Stadium of Mild could be met with a mixture of pleasure and cautious optimism. The membership, aiming to construct on current momentum, has already proven a willingness to recruit high-quality gamers able to making the leap to Premier League degree. El Aynaoui matches that profile effectively.
His fashion of play would complement the likes of Dan Neil and Pierre Ekwah, providing a composed presence in midfield and somebody who might unlock deeper defences with intelligent passes. He additionally has expertise in high-pressure video games at Lens, which might show invaluable within the Championship’s chaotic tempo.
The most important concern for followers could be whether or not Sunderland can realistically compete with golf equipment like Roma or Milan financially and when it comes to footballing ambition. The Championship, whereas aggressive, doesn’t supply European soccer or the instant highlight that Serie A does.
Nonetheless, if the Black Cats might one way or the other win this race, it could sign a serious coup and a transparent assertion of intent from the possession. El Aynaoui is the kind of participant who couldn’t solely assist win promotion however thrive within the Premier League if the group achieves it.