Leipzig pay €4m loan fee for El Aynaoui as De Roon heads to Roma
AS Roma completed a midfield restructuring on August 30, 2026, sending midfielder Neil El Aynaoui to RB Leipzig on an initial €4 million loan deal with a €25 million purchase option. In a corresponding move, Roma agreed terms with Atalanta to sign midfielder Marten de Roon.
El Aynaoui plays as a central midfielder, moving to the German Bundesliga after completing his move out of the Italian top flight.
AS Roma
clubEl Aynaoui and De Roon Shift Midfield Options for Leipzig and Roma
El Aynaoui enters the RB Leipzig squad to provide central midfield coverage for the German club. At Roma, De Roon arrives directly from Atalanta to take on central midfield duties following his time as club captain in Bergamo.
De Roon Fills Immediate Vacancy in Roma Midfield
The swift arrival of De Roon ensures Roma maintain their numbers in central midfield following El Aynaoui’s departure. The move gives Roma proven top-flight experience in the center of the pitch as the transfer window draws to a close.
Atalanta
clubFinancial Terms of Leipzig’s Deal for El Aynaoui
RB Leipzig will pay an initial €4 million loan fee to secure El Aynaoui for the season. The agreement grants Leipzig an option to purchase the midfielder permanently for €25 million, while Roma retain a percentage of any future sell-on fee. Fabrizio Romano / RomaPress.