Napoli, Elmas dreams of a return: Conte eyes the versatile Macedonian | OneFootball

Eljif Elmas could wear the Napoli jersey again. The Macedonian midfielder, currently at Leipzig, has re-entered the plans of sporting director Giovanni Manna and Antonio Conte, who considers him the ideal profile to cover multiple roles in midfield and on the wing.

Napoli, Elmas dreams of returning: the Macedonian wild card in Conte's sights

The player Conte likes Defined by Luciano Spalletti as "the light of my eyes" during the triumphant 2022-2023 season, Elmas is a versatile player: he can play in midfield, as a trequartista or as an attacking winger. Physical strength, ability to insert himself, goals, assists, and intensity in the non-possession phase make him a valuable piece for any coach.

Conte sees him as the man who can give what Ndoye couldn't offer, exploiting his ability to adapt to multiple systems of play.

The negotiation knot Napoli aims to bring him back to Italy with a loan deal, but Leipzig – the club that acquired him from the Azzurri in December 2023 – is only willing to let him go on a permanent basis. The competition from Torino, where Elmas played on loan from January to June and left a good impression, further complicates the negotiation.

A long-awaited return Elmas has never hidden his bond with Napoli. Already in January, when DS Manna had explored the possibility of a return, the Macedonian had shown enthusiasm. In recent hours, upon hearing the news of renewed interest, he would have sent the crossed fingers emoji to close friends: a sign of hope for a favorable outcome.

Other market tracks Napoli, in addition to Elmas, continues to work on other fronts: in Spain, they are closely following Miguel Gutierrez of Girona, while the negotiations for Juanlu Sánchez of Sevilla are on standby due to the increasing economic demands of the Andalusian club.

With the market still in full swing, Elmas' return would represent a choice with strong technical and emotional value, capable of rekindling the enthusiasm of the Azzurri fans.

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