Napoli Midfielder Monitored by Manchester United

Manchester United’s summer rebuild is taking shape around two priorities: a revamped midfield and a new left-winger. With Casemiro confirmed to be departing Old Trafford, the club are targeting up to two midfield signings, and Napoli’s Eljif Elmas has emerged as a fresh name on their expanded shortlist.

While high-profile domestic targets Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton remain on the radar—each carrying valuations near £100 million—United are simultaneously scouring the market for cost-effective alternatives. Bournemouth’s Marcus Tavernier and Nottingham Forest’s Ibrahim Sangaré have already been added to the secondary list, and Elmas is the latest to attract attention.

According to TuttoMercatoWeb, United scouts have monitored the 26-year-old Macedonia international over recent weeks. Operating in both central and attacking midfield roles, Elmas has featured 36 times for Napoli this season, contributing to the club’s Supercoppa Italiana triumph and their current third-place standing in Serie A.

Complications surround any potential approach, however. Elmas is technically on loan from RB Leipzig, who re-signed him last summer for £21 million after Napoli originally purchased him from Fenerbahçe for £15 million in 2019. The Italian champions hold an optional buy clause set at just under £14 million for the coming window, meaning United’s path to the player hinges on Napoli’s willingness to trigger that clause and then negotiate a sale.

Leipzig appear to have no long-term plans for Elmas, having farmed him out on consecutive loans to Torino and now Napoli. Consequently, Napoli’s decision-makers effectively control whether the midfielder becomes available, leaving United waiting on developments in southern Italy before firming up their interest.