Roma abandon Leweling pursuit, worry about El Aynaoui to RB Leipzig
Quick summary
AS Roma have ended their chase of Leweling and are now concerned that midfielder El Aynaoui could be lured away by RB Leipzig.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceRoma have abandoned the pursuit of VfB Stuttgart winger Jamie Leweling, as there was no more time to get a €35m deal over the line, but Neil El Aynaoui’s move to RB Leipzig is also in doubt.
The Giallorossi have been seeking an attacking winger for Gian Piero Gasperini ever since he took the job last summer, and had hoped to secure this figure on transfer deadline day.
Roma give up on Leweling MUNICH, GERMANY – AUGUST 28: Jamie Leweling of VfB Stuttgart reacts during the Bundesliga 2026/27 match between FC Bayern München and VfB Stuttgart at Allianz Arena on August 28, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images) They had edged closer to an agreement with VfB Stuttgart for Leweling, offering €35m including add-ons with an improved proposal of personal terms for the player.
However, as it dragged on for too long and the Italian transfer deadline is at 19.00 UK time (20.00 CEST), there simply isn’t time to complete the move.
With that in mind, multiple sources including Sky Sport Italia , Sportitalia and Sky Sports Deutschland confirm Roma have abandoned their pursuit of Leweling.
ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 22: Zeki Celik of AS Roma competes for the ball with Jamie Leweling of VfB Stuttgart during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between AS Roma and VfB Stuttgart at Stadio Olimpico on January 22, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images) Meanwhile, it is also a race against time for Roma to complete the transfer of El Aynaoui to RB Leipzig.
He had flown out already to Germany for medical tests, but Footmercato suggest problems emerged between the player and the Bundesliga side over personal terms.
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) It is not the first time the Morocco international has caused problems for the Giallorossi, because he had also rejected a switch to Crystal Palace earlier in the summer.
This was set to be a loan at €4m with option to buy at the end of the season for another €25-28m.
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What happened
Roma have pulled out of negotiations to sign Leweling, ending that transfer track. Attention has now shifted to retaining their own midfield talent, with concerns growing that RB Leipzig are making a serious approach for El Aynaoui. The situation puts Roma in a reactive position in the market — unable to add a target while simultaneously facing the threat of losing a key squad player to the Bundesliga. The club will need to weigh up whether to hold firm on El Aynaoui or negotiate a sale.
Chance analysis
Roma find themselves on the back foot in the transfer market, walking away from one target while scrambling to keep hold of a young midfielder coveted by RB Leipzig. The El Aynaoui situation is the more consequential storyline: losing a promising central player to a Bundesliga side would weaken the squad's depth at a crucial stage of the window. It also raises questions about Roma's pulling power relative to other European clubs when it comes to retaining emerging talent.
Roma face a net negative transfer window trajectory, risking the loss of El Aynaoui to RB Leipzig while missing out on a reinforcement target.