Godwin ObajeLeeds United Eye Ligue 1 Star After Roma Bid Rejected
Leeds United have added Lens midfielder Neil El Aynaoui to their list of summer transfer targets after AS Roma had a bid for the highly-rated playmaker rejected.
The Whites are pushing ahead with a busy recruitment drive under Daniel Farke, and following the arrivals of Gabriel Gudmundsson and the imminent signing of Newcastle’s Sean Longstaff, attention is turning to attacking reinforcements. The 24-year-old El Aynaoui has emerged as one of the most intriguing names linked to Elland Road in recent days.
Fabrizio Romano reported late on Tuesday that Roma made an offer to sign the Moroccan international, only for Lens to reject it outright. The French club, who are keen to retain one of their top assets, have reportedly improved their contract proposal in a bid to convince El Aynaoui to stay.
“Lens have rejected AS Roma proposal for Neil El Aynaoui and improved their proposal for the midfielder to stay,” Romano confirmed. “AS Roma won’t proceed at current conditions, prepared to focus on different targets.”
Leeds, however, are among a number of clubs monitoring the situation closely. With Roma stepping away, the door remains open for other suitors, including Sunderland, Juventus and AC Milan, who have also been credited with interest.
El Aynaoui enjoyed a breakout campaign last season under former manager Will Still, scoring eight goals in 24 Ligue 1 appearances—an impressive return for a central midfielder. His performances helped propel Lens into the top half of the table and caught the eye of several European clubs.
Still, now in charge at Southampton, spoke glowingly of the midfielder during his time at Lens, highlighting El Aynaoui’s character and impact on the pitch.
“Neil is one of the players we can rely on,” Still said in a press conference last season. “He’s always positive, very humble. He has energy and technical and tactical qualities that allow him to make a difference. He’s improving steadily every day. He’s hungry.”
That hunger and development under Still’s tutelage saw El Aynaoui transform from a fringe figure with one goal in 31 previous appearances to a key midfield presence capable of changing games.
Leeds’ interest comes amid ongoing work to strengthen across the pitch. While Longstaff is expected to be unveiled in the coming days following agreement on a £12 million move, the club also remains in the market for a new striker, a goalkeeper, a number 10 and a winger.
With the Elland Road hierarchy submitting plans to expand the stadium’s capacity to 53,000 and the club showing serious intent in the transfer market, the addition of a player like El Aynaoui would further signal Leeds’ ambition to return to the Premier League.
Whether a formal bid will be lodged remains to be seen, but El Aynaoui’s technical skillset and upward trajectory certainly make him a compelling target as Leeds continue to shape a squad capable of competing at the top of the Championship—and beyond.
Godwin Obaje
