Bleed in AFCON final, draw Real Madrid's attention
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Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 26.01.26. | 17:32
Roma's Moroccan Neil El Aynaoui is reportedly Los Blancos' latest transfer target
During the previous June Transfer Window, Real Madrid filled some holes in the team by signing young players for the future, such as Dean Huijsen and Alvaro Carreras. However, the gap left by Toni Kroos' retirement remains open.
Numerous players have been linked with 15-time Champions League winners and considered potential replacements for the German - Angelo Stiller of Stuttgart, Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, Kees Smit of AZ Alkmaar...
Yet, none of the above arrived at Santiago Bernabeu, meaning the search isn't over. On the contrary, it's in full swing, as Madrid have reportedly eyed a new target, the one that emerged at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Namely, according to the Belgian transfer expert, Sacha Tavolieri, Roma's Moroccan Neil El Aynaoui is the latest wish of the club from the Spanish capital.
⚪️ 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆: 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋 𝐌𝐀𝐃𝐑𝐈𝐃 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐋𝐘 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐍𝐄𝐈𝐋 𝐄𝐋 𝐀𝐘𝐍𝐀𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐈(24)! 🇲🇦👑
— The Stat Guy (@The_Stat_Guy_10) January 26, 2026
El Aynaouni (The Profile), 1.86m Elite Ball Carrier 11.8km Average Distance Covered 88% Pass Accuracy 🤩
Physical Monster🔥pic.twitter.com/B9oDKZ2vWu
The 24-year-old clocked every second during the Atlas Lions 2025 AFCON campaign, clocking 690 minutes across seven games! Moreover, he suffered a severe head trauma during the final against Senegal, lost a lot of blood, but still decided to keep playing and battled through the injury for 35 minutes, showing a never-say-die mentality and a relentless warrior spirit.
Given that Madrid desperately need such a player, the club has allegedly already spoken to El Aynaoui's representatives, though the deal is still far from being finalized.
Roma signed the midfielder last July from the French Lens for €23.5 million as a relatively unknown acquisition. Now, the Italians could cash in for far more.
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