Former Morocco international Abderrazak Khairi has described Neil El Aynaoui’s transfer to RB Leipzig as a sensible career move, saying the 25-year-old midfielder needed regular playing time to continue developing and demonstrate his ability.

Khairi, who was a key figure for Morocco at the 1986 World Cup, told Maghreb-Foot that the move should benefit both El Aynaoui and the German club. He believes remaining at AS Rome would have risked the midfielder spending too much time among the substitutes.

El Aynaoui’s style is also regarded as a good fit for Leipzig’s tactical approach. The move will give him the opportunity to play in the Bundesliga and compete in the Champions League, providing a higher-profile platform to establish himself.

Khairi did, however, acknowledge that Leipzig are going through a period of transition under a new manager. He played down the potential impact of that change, maintaining that the transfer remains a positive step for El Aynaoui.

RB Leipzig are due to face Real Madrid in their third match of the Champions League league phase. The listed odds for the fixture are 11.00 for a Leipzig victory, 7.00 for a draw and 1.22 for a Real Madrid win.