Real Madrid and Barca set to battle for Moroccan starlet Neil El Aynaoui

According to reports from 'Diario SPORT', FC Barcelona are set to rival Real Madrid in the race to sign midfielder Neil El Aynaoui.

The Catalan giants have shown a burgeoning interest in the 23-year-old, viewing his current predicament at AS Roma as a prime market opportunity for the next transfer window.

Despite his high-profile arrival from RC Lens at the start of the season, El Aynaoui has found regular game time elusive under Gian Piero Gasperini, making only sporadic appearances in Serie A.

FC Barcelona's interest is further intensified by the uncertainty surrounding Marc Casado, who is reportedly considering an exit due to a lack of minutes. The Moroccan international is seen as a player who can inject both physicality and technical poise into the midfield engine room alongside Pedri.

However, Barca are not the only suitors. Real Madrid are monitoring the situation closely, while RB Leipzig have reportedly already made their opening gambit.

Having starred for Morocco during AFCON, El Aynaoui is valued at approximately 20 million euros, a figure that has alerted several of the continent's heavyweights.