[BOLOGNA, ITALY - APRIL 25: Neil El Aynaoui of AS Roma celebrates after scoring his team's second goal with his teammate Donyell Malen during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Renato Dall'Ara Stadium on April 25, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
BOLOGNA, ITALY - APRIL 25: Neil El Aynaoui of AS Roma celebrates after scoring his team's second goal with his teammate Donyell Malen during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Renato Dall'Ara Stadium on April 25, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)](https://football-italia.net/el-aynaoui-attracting-interest-aston-villa/)Roma midfielder Neil El Aynaoui has reportedly been targeted by Aston Villa as a potential replacement for Youri Tielemans, but they aren’t the only Premier League club interested.
ROME, ITALY - APRIL 18: Ederson of Atalanta challenges Neil El Aynaoui of AS Roma during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Atalanta BC at Stadio Olimpico on April 18, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
ROME, ITALY – APRIL 18: Ederson of Atalanta challenges Neil El Aynaoui of AS Roma during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Atalanta BC at Stadio Olimpico on April 18, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
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All the focus might’ve been on Manu Koné and his impressive performances for France, but the 2026 World Cup also acted as a showcase for some other Giallorossi midfielders.
El Aynaoui shone for Morocco and the 25-year-old is attracting a lot of interest from the Premier League.
Aston Villa watching El Aynaoui
ROME, ITALY - NOVEMBER 27: Neil El Aynaoui of AS Roma celebrates with his 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)
ROME, ITALY – NOVEMBER 27: Neil El Aynaoui of AS Roma celebrates with his 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)
According to Africa Soccer and Voce Giallorossa, the club most closely tracking his progress is Aston Villa, who see the 22-year-old as an ideal replacement for Tielemans.
They sold Tielemans to Manchester United for €41m and can reinvest that in picking up El Aynaoui.
It is reported they already sent scouts to view him several times, and are impressed with his work rate and aggressive approach.
Roma paid €23.5m plus add-ons, including a percentage of the future sale fee, to get him from RC Lens last summer.
His value has already practically doubled after just 34 competitive games, where he scored two goals and provided two assists.
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