Everton may look to sign 24-year-old Moroccan youth international Neil El Aynaoui from Ligue 1 club RC Lens in the summer transfer window.
According to a report by La Voix du Nord, as relayed by Sport Witness, Neil El Aynaoui is the subject of interest from Everton. The Toffees are keen on reinforcing their first-team squad by signing a midfielder in the summer transfer window. So, the 24-year-old RC Lens prospect has emerged as a target for the Merseyside outfit.
The Toffees have presented plans to the Nancy-born midfielder as they look to sign him from the Ligue 1 club in the summer transfer window. However, reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has suggested that El Aynaoui has “said yes” to AS Roma, with the Serie A giants offering him a five-year contract. An agreement over a deal worth €25 million may be on the cards.
Who is Neil El Aynaoui?
Neil El Aynaoui has established himself as one of the most promising midfielders in Ligue 1 since joining RC Lens from AS Nancy in July 2023. The French-born has gone from strength to strength in the last two years, although fitness issues hampered him in the 2024/25 season.
The Moroccan youth international managed only 1,677 minutes of game time across 25 outings in all competitions for RC Lens, chipping in with eight goals and one assist. Meanwhile, El Aynaoui’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several well-known clubs across Europe. Everton will be among the prospective suitors vying for his signature in the summer transfer window.
Premier League move on the horizon?
Everton’s interest in Neil El Aynaoui is understandable. The Toffees are scouring the market for a midfielder this summer amid Idrissa Gueye’s advancing years. So, Everton must bring in a long-term solution for the midfield unit, with several candidates, including Douglas Luiz, emerging as targets for the Merseyside outfit.
The Toffees have already presented plans to the 24-year-old RC Lens midfielder as they look to sign him from the Ligue 1 club. However, Fabrizio Romano has suggested that a move to Serie A may be on the cards, as El Aynaoui has “said yes” to AS Roma.
The Serie A giants have offered a five-year contract to the Moroccan youth international, and the Giallorossi will likely secure his services in a deal worth €25 million, including add-ons. Meanwhile, all may not be lost for Everton, considering they are AS Roma’s sister club.
