Real Madrid and Barcelona will face off for the signing of a rising star from Serie A, a dynamic midfielder valued at €20 million, which will provoke a tug of war between two giants of Europe.
A total of 29. That is the number of games that, to date, Neil El Aynaoui has accumulated with AS Roma. Although it is a considerable amount, it is enough to review the statistics in greater detail to verify that the player is not yet a key piece for Gian Piero Gasperini. So far this season, the Moroccan has started only five matches in Serie A.
This scenario has been key in prompting speculation in the media about his possible departure from the Giallorossi at the end of the campaign. In this regard, Africafoot reports that FC Barcelona has intensified its monitoring of a player whom it considers ideal to reinforce the midfield, given his mix of talent and physical ability.
If they decide to take action, the Catalan team will have to face its eternal rival, Real Madrid. Because, as Sport adds, the Whites have also been tracking this footballer for some time, who has already been valued at around €20 million. This is a really attractive amount, considering his margin for progression (he is still 24 years old).
Forged in the youth system of French Nancy, the defensive midfielder passed through Lens before landing at a Roma side that paid around €23.5 million to sign him. Although he has not really stood out at the Stadio Olimpico, the North African continues to shine with the senior Morocco national team, where he serves as one of the bosses of the engine room (15 appearances, two goals).
Real Madrid is currently still looking to revolutionize its midfield. Since the departure of that legendary trio of Casemiro, Kroos, and Modric, the Merengue club has sought to form a legion once again that would give the team that magnificent play. For the moment, they are somewhat comfortable with players like Bellingham, Valverde, Tchouameni, etc.
However, they still do not feel fully cohesive. No one doubts the quality of those players, but if you compare them to the connection the midfielders had in the Zidane era (as manager), they are far from matching that level of quality and chemistry. That is why Madrid will not stop until it finds the ideal midfield that can take the club to glory again.
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