Official: Lens confirms its second mercato recruit
After Stijn Spierings, RC Lens have made their second summer signing official with the signing of promising Nancy midfielder Neil El Aynaoui (21).
Neil El Aynaoui (21) became captain of AS Nancy Lorraine last season, a club set to move up to the National League in 2022-2023, and is Lens' second signing of the summer after Stijn Spierings from Toulouse, who joined on a free transfer.
💬 Arnaud Pouille : « La signature d’un jeune talent, réfléchi, ambitieux et fidèle à ses couleurs comme Neil, entre parfaitement dans l’ADN du Racing. »
— Racing Club de Lens (@RCLens) June 29, 2023
👉 https://t.co/Q08z93PbA4MercaTour2023 FierDEtreLensois
A technical midfielder, Neil El Aynaoui has signed a contract until June 2027 with the Sang et Or, who will soon lose their captain Seko Fofana and probably also Lukasz Poreba and Jean Onana. That's why Lens has also stepped up its efforts to strengthen its midfield with Andy Diouf (Basel).
A transfer to save Nancy?
With regard to Neil El Aynaoui, Lens general manager Arnaud Pouille welcomed his signature on the club's website: "The signing of a young talent, thoughtful, ambitious and loyal to his colors throughout his training, fits in perfectly with Racing's DNA. We are delighted to welcome this promising midfielder, who will find the structure of our dressing room the ideal framework for acclimatizing to the elite in the best possible conditions."
The transfer fee has not been revealed, but L'Est Républicain reported on June 6 that it was in the region of 1 million euros. A sum that could help Nancy convince the DNCG and avoid an administrative demotion to N3.