According to a recent report by Fichajes, Barcelona is interested in acquiring AS Roma midfielder Neil El Aynaoui. The Catalan club sees the Moroccan talent as a potential asset to strengthen their squad this year.
El Aynaoui’s Impressive Performance in Serie A
The 24-year-old has had a standout season with the Italian side, showcasing his skills in the midfield. He has scored once and provided one assist in 18 appearances for Roma across various competitions this season.
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El Aynaoui has been effective in anchoring the midfield, contributing seven tackles, three blocks, six interceptions, and five clearances in Serie A. His passing accuracy stands impressive at 87.3%, reflecting his reliability as a distributor (stats via fbref.com).
Currently, El Aynaoui is under contract with Roma until the summer of 2030, making a potential January transfer or a deal at the end of the season challenging for Barcelona.
ROME, ITALY – NOVEMBER 27: Neil El Aynaoui of AS Roma celebrates with a teammate after scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between AS Roma and FC Midtjylland at Stadio Olimpico on November 27, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Could Aynaoui Be a Strong Fit for Barcelona’s Hansi Flick?
Aynaoui is an adept tackler who possesses good awareness in reading danger and making crucial interceptions. He effectively clears the ball during opposing attacks and is known for his tidy passing.
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In addition to his defensive capabilities, El Aynaoui can also contribute goals and assists, enhancing his team’s offensive play. While primarily a box-to-box midfielder, he can adapt to a defensive role when necessary. Nonetheless, there are questions about how smoothly he would transition to playing in La Liga.
Adding Aynaoui would increase the quality and depth of Barcelona’s midfield under Hansi Flick, positioning him as a contender for regular first-team action at the Nou Camp.
At just 24 years old, Aynaoui is approaching his peak performance years, making him an appealing target for Barcelona this season. However, it’s important for Flick to allow him time to adapt to life in Spain.