Fenerbahçe's New Target: Roma's Neil El Aynaoui
Neil El Aynaoui, who impressed with Morocco at the World Cup, has drawn concrete interest from Fenerbahçe alongside English clubs. Roma's midfielder is now one to watch this summer.
World Cup Form Has Raised His Profile
Roma midfielder Neil El Aynaoui, who stood out for Morocco at the World Cup, has become a name to watch in the transfer market. His strong showing at the tournament is said to have significantly boosted his value on the international market.
Fenerbahçe the First Club to Move Concretely
According to Italian reports, several English and Turkish clubs have made initial inquiries about the player's situation, but Fenerbahçe have been the most concrete in their approach. The Turkish club is said to have gathered early information on the terms of a possible deal. This lines up with StatsLook's earlier reporting via Fanatik, which had already flagged El Aynaoui as a name on Fenerbahçe's radar.
Roma Taking a Wait-and-See Approach
Roma's management is reportedly in no rush to make a decision, waiting to see whether initial interest turns into concrete offers in the coming weeks. The player is expected to report back to Trigoria on July 30 and join head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's squad for their training camp in Wales.
The Numbers Behind El Aynaoui: A Balanced Midfield Profile
According to StatsLook data, El Aynaoui made 34 appearances for Roma in 2025/2026 but saw limited playing time (1,700 minutes, 47% starts). In that time, he contributed 2 goals and 2 assists. His average rating of 6.62 placed him in the top 53% at his position.
Looking at his per-90 numbers, El Aynaoui ranks 3rd among Serie A central midfielders in interceptions (1.75 per 90). He also ranks in the top tier for big chances created (0.36 per 90, top 7% of the league), showing he offers value in creativity alongside his defensive work. He also ranks 10th in assists (0.18 per 90).
He ranks lower in direct attacking metrics like goals (34th) and total shots (69th) — confirming a balanced, defensively-oriented midfield profile rather than a goal-scorer.
What This Means for Fenerbahçe
The numbers show that despite limited minutes, El Aynaoui ranks near the top of the league in interceptions and big chance creation. For Fenerbahçe, this profile represents a midfield option offering both defensive balance and occasional creative spark.
This article is based on reporting by Roberto Santamaria via RomaGiallorossa. Statistics sourced from the StatsLook database.
