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By Barnaby Lane
Posted on 14 July 2025, 16:11
Everton launch enquiry to battle fellow Friedkin Group club for "versatile" Ligue 1 midfielder - Everton
Neil El Aynaoui. (REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol)
Everton’s 2024/25 campaign was a tale of two halves.
After a disastrous start under Sean Dyche, the Toffees were plunged into a relegation scrap and looked void of ideas. But the mid-season return of David Moyes brought a much-needed resurgence.
Under Moyes, Everton lost just four league matches, climbing steadily up the table to finish a respectable 13th. While the final position may not set pulses racing, it was a solid end to a rollercoaster campaign — and a clear sign that Everton can once again become a top-half, or even top-six, Premier League club.
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Their summer transfer window has started brightly.
Carlos Alcaraz has joined on a permanent deal, and highly rated striker Thierno Barry has arrived from Villarreal — a player widely regarded as one of Europe’s most exciting young forwards.
Now, another major addition could be on the horizon.
Everton Launch Enquiry for Neil El Aynaoui
RC Lens' Neil El Aynaoui shakes hands with Juma Bah. (REUTERS/Manon Cruz)
RC Lens’ Neil El Aynaoui shakes hands with Juma Bah. (REUTERS/Manon Cruz)
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Everton have launched an enquiry for RC Lens midfielder Neil El Aynaoui, teeing up a potential transfer battle with Serie A giants Roma — who, like Everton, are owned by the Friedkin Group.
Despite their shared ownership, the two clubs operate with separate recruitment departments — and both are in the market for midfield reinforcements.
Roma were believed to be closing in on a deal for El Aynaoui, with reports suggesting the Moroccan had already agreed terms. However, Everton are said to have made a late approach in an attempt to hijack the move.
The 22-year-old joined Lens from Nancy in 2023 and quickly became a vital part of the team. He made 56 appearances last season, scoring nine goals and providing six assists — eight of those goals coming in 2024 alone.
Described as “versatile” and a player who “stands out for his technical skills, game vision, and ability to drive play forward,” El Aynaoui is under contract until 2027. Lens are expected to demand at least £25.9 million for his services.
In today’s inflated transfer market, that fee seems reasonable for a player of El Aynaoui’s calibre and potential.
Whether Everton can tempt him away from an already advanced Roma deal remains to be seen — but it’s another signal of ambition from Moyes and the Toffees as they look to build something serious for the coming season.
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