Young Napoli midfield talent Elif Elmas has been a mainstay in the first team since joining the Partenopei in the summer of 2019 from Turkish giants Fenerbahce. The then unknown 18-year-old registered 36 appearances for the club in his debut season in 2019/20 and has 119 caps to his name already, scoring 10 goals so far.
His performances have drawn the sights of eternal rivals Milan and Inter, as the duo seek to bolster their ranks with young blood. According to reports from MARCA, the summer will witness a Derby di Milano played out in the transfer market for the versatile 22-year-old attacker. The report mentions of negotiations at a ‘preliminary point’, as both clubs assess their options.
Elmas’ contract in Naples expires only in 2025, but with if a mouthwatering offer does arrive for club chief Aurelio De Laurentiis, it is understood that the North Macedonian is unlikely to see any effort from the Partenopei for retaining his services, despite his significant presence in the first team.
He has a transfermarkt value of €24m, but it is highly doubtful if Napoli will accept anything less of the €30-35m mark – the same range Milan value Rebic, and thus the prospect of a swap transfer in the summer between the Rossoneri and Partenopei. However, the Napoli president is reportedly averse to the idea.
On the other hand, the Nerazzurri eye Elmas as a potential successor to Nicolo Barella, if the Italian starlet does move away from the Giuseppe Meazza. Former Inter coach Antonio Conte’s preference for Barella in midfield diminished any chances of Inter signing the Napoli midfielder few seasons ago, during his breakthrough campaign in 2018/19 for Fenerbahce.
The North Macedonian attacking midfielder has 6 goals and as many assists for Napoli this campaign in 39 appearances – proving himself to be a vital part of Luciano Spalletti’s resurgent outfit. It was his goal that edged league leaders Milan by a 1-0 scoreline earlier in December, grabbing all-three points in a significant top-of-the-table clash.