Aston Villa have been eyeing a move for one of the rising stars of the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite the possible challenges.
Aston Villa’s transfer business is likely to get busier this month, with less than a month remaining before the summer transfer window closes. Unai Emery appears to still be focused on bolstering the midfield after the departure of Youri Tielemans, the long-term injury to Amadou Onana and the unconvincing form of Lamare Bogarde in the defensive midfield position, not to mention the ageing Ross Barkley.
The Spanish boss is keen on securing top talent in midfield despite having already signed Joao Gomes and Johan Manzambi. To succeed in the Champions League, where mistakes must be minimised, having a squad capable of delivering consistent performances in every game, even during rotation, is essential.
Thus, Aston Villa are reportedly considering joining the race to sign one of the breakout stars of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Neil El Aynaoui, as reported by Todomercadoweb.
“The request comes directly from Unai Emery. The English club’s sporting director has shown a concrete interest in signing the 25-year-old midfielder when he was on international duty.”
The former Lens man only joined AS Roma last summer. He signed a five-year contract, which certainly gives the Giallorossi an advantage in negotiations. His price tag is believed to be around £34.2 million.
Aston Villa are not the only club keeping tabs on him. Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Brighton, Bournemouth, Newcastle, Sunderland and Everton have all been linked with the Moroccan midfielder. Barcelona and Real Madrid have also shown interest, although none has submitted a formal bid.
Signing him will be challenging, not only because of the competition from those clubs but also because Villa have little advantage in negotiations. Everton are arguably in the strongest position, as the Toffees and Roma are both owned by The Friedkin Group, which could make negotiations easier for both the player and the Italian club.
The former Lens midfielder was in excellent form throughout Morocco’s World Cup campaign. He started every match for his country until they were knocked out by France in the quarter-finals.
The current AS Roma man is versatile and can operate as a defensive midfielder, a number eight or even a number 10 when required. Based on data from FotMob, his performances at the World Cup were impressive. He attempted seven shots, with two on target. His pass completion rate was 92.3%, while his long-ball accuracy stood at 56%. He recorded 535 touches, including seven inside the opposition penalty area, while winning 45.5% of his duels.
His defensive contribution was equally impressive, recording 38 defensive actions in total, consisting of 18 tackles, seven interceptions, one blocked shot and 12 clearances.
Last season, El Aynaoui made 34 appearances for the Giallorossi, registering two goals and two assists. His main issue was inconsistency. The midfielder, who has earned 22 international caps, will hope to replicate his World Cup form at club level.
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