Spanish club Real Madrid is seeking to strengthen its squad with one of the stars of the Moroccan national team from the latest edition of the Africa Cup of Nations hosted by Morocco.
It was mentioned that Moroccan midfielder Nail El Aynaoui has attracted the interest of Real Madrid, who have placed him on their list of players being closely monitored.
Real Madrid Seeks to Sign Moroccan El Aynaoui
It was confirmed that Real Madrid is paying special attention to El Aynaoui (24 years old) and intends to accelerate his case in the coming few months.
Real Madrid scouts closely followed El Aynaoui’s performance during the Africa Cup of Nations, and his displays convinced the decision-makers at the club to the extent of officially including him on the shortlist of players targeted by the record Champions League winner.
Nail El Aynaoui participated in all of Morocco’s matches in the 2025 Africa Cup.
Real Madrid officials intend to monitor the player’s performance with his club Roma for the remainder of the current 2025-2026 season before making a final decision on whether to submit an offer.
The same source indicated that there have been initial talks with the player’s entourage, but they have not reached an official stage, and there are no indications that the deal could be finalized during the current winter transfer window.
El Aynaoui Wants to Join Real Madrid
For his part, El Aynaoui has shown great openness to the idea of joining Real Madrid, clearly stating that he considers the club a top priority if an official offer arrives, even if it is in the next summer transfer window.
El Aynaoui was a key element in the squad of the Moroccan national team coach, who relied on him in all of the “Atlas Lions” matches in the latest Africa Cup.
Nail El Aynaoui (left) joined Roma last year from French club Lens.
The midfielder participated in all seven matches of the latest tournament, totaling 690 minutes according to data.
El Aynaoui arrived at Roma last summer from French club Lens in a deal worth 23.5 million euros (approximately 25.4 million dollars). Since then, he has participated in 18 matches between Serie A and the Europa League, contributing to two goals (scoring 1 and assisting 1).
Real Madrid
Real Madrid is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain, founded in 1902. It is one of the world’s most successful and widely supported clubs, historically renowned for its European dominance, particularly winning a record 14 UEFA Champions League titles.
Morocco
Morocco is a North African country with a rich history shaped by indigenous Amazigh (Berber) cultures, Arab influence from the 7th-century Islamic conquests, and later European colonial interests. It is known for historic sites like the medieval medinas of Fez and Marrakech, which showcase its architectural and cultural heritage as a crossroads of civilizations. The country gained independence from France and Spain in 1956 and is a constitutional monarchy.
Africa Cup of Nations
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is the premier international men’s football competition in Africa, first held in 1957. It was founded by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to foster unity and showcase the continent’s football talent, with Egypt winning the inaugural tournament.
Roma
Roma, also known as Rome, is the capital city of Italy with a history spanning over 2,800 years. It was the heart of the ancient Roman Empire and later became the center of the Catholic Church, home to landmarks like the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Vatican City.
Stadio Olimpico
The Stadio Olimpico is the main and largest sports stadium in Rome, Italy, originally built for the 1960 Summer Olympics. It has since served as the home ground for the city’s major football clubs, AS Roma and Lazio, and has hosted numerous major events, including the 1990 FIFA World Cup final and the UEFA Champions League finals in 1996 and 2009.
Rome
Rome is the capital city of Italy, founded according to legend in 753 BC, and it grew to become the epicenter of the vast Roman Empire. It is renowned for its ancient ruins like the Colosseum and Roman Forum, as well as its profound influence on law, politics, and culture throughout Western history.
Italy
Italy is a country in Southern Europe with a rich cultural history that dates back to the ancient Roman Empire, which was one of the world’s greatest civilizations. It is renowned as the birthplace of the Renaissance, a period of extraordinary artistic and intellectual achievement, and is home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites, including historic cities, architectural masterpieces, and ancient ruins.
UEFA Europa League
The UEFA Europa League is an annual football club competition organized by UEFA, first held in the 1971–72 season as the UEFA Cup. It was rebranded in 2009, serving primarily for clubs that qualify through domestic league and cup performances, acting as Europe’s secondary club tournament beneath the UEFA Champions League.
FC Midtjylland
FC Midtjylland is a professional Danish football club founded in 1999 through the merger of Ikast FS and Herning Fremad. Based in Herning, the club has become a dominant force in Danish football, winning multiple Danish Superliga titles and being noted for its innovative, data-driven approach to the sport.
Lens
Lens is a city in northern France historically known for its coal mining industry, which drove its growth from the 19th century until the closure of its last pit in 1986. A key cultural site is the Louvre-Lens Museum, a satellite of the Paris Louvre opened in 2012 on a reclaimed mining site, symbolizing the region’s transformation from industrial decline to a focus on art and heritage.
France
France is a Western European country with a rich history dating back to ancient Gaul, later evolving into a powerful monarchy and a center of the Enlightenment. It is globally renowned for its cultural influence in art, cuisine, and philosophy, and is the home of iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Palace of Versailles. The French Revolution of 1789 was a pivotal event that profoundly shaped its modern republican identity.
Serie A
Serie A is the top professional football league in Italy, founded in 1929. It is historically one of the world’s most prestigious leagues, renowned for its tactical rigor and legendary clubs like Juventus, AC Milan, and Inter Milan.
