Elmas-Napoli reunion possible: in Germany he's labelled a “flop” at Leipzig | OneFootball

Leipzig-Napoli, the market axis has reopened. In Germany, the sports press - particularly Bild - tells of an Eljif Elmas who never really exploded in the Bundesliga and of a possible return to the blues, a hypothesis that would have already sparked Napoli's interest.

Elmas-Napoli, a possible return: in Germany they call him a "flop" at Leipzig

Arriving at Napoli in 2019, Elmas has made 189 appearances and 19 goals in five seasons, winning the league title and the Italian Cup and winning the affection of the fans. In January 2024, Leipzig bought him for 24 million euros, investing in a versatile and dynamic midfielder. The experience, however, did not meet expectations: in Saxony, the Macedonian made 17 appearances, zero goals and only one assist in a year and a half, with a loan to Torino in the last season.

The judgement of the German press Bild does not mince words, calling Elmas "a big market misunderstanding" and highlighting how his 6 million euro engagement weighs on the management of the squad. The German club, the newspaper writes, would prefer to sell him outright to avoid finding themselves in the same situation next season.

The formula issue and Leipzig's request Napoli has already asked for information, imagining a loan to bring him back to the blues. Leipzig, on the other hand, has rejected this formula both with the Neapolitan club and with Torino, aiming for a definitive sale. The current valuation is 13-14 million euros, a figure already communicated to the Granata and which remains the basis for any negotiation.

Why Conte likes him Elmas is a real tactical wildcard: he can play as a left winger, mezz'ala or trequartista, guaranteeing rhythm, intensity and the ability to cover both phases of the game. A profile that could fill the gap left by the missed target Dan Ndoye, offering versatility and reliability.

The player's approval The Macedonian midfielder, contracted until 2028, would strongly appreciate a return to Napoli. Already in January, he would have accepted the destination, but at that time there were no free spots to register a non-EU player.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.