Elif Elmas has left Napoli to join RB Leipzig and commit to a five-year stay with the Bundesliga club. The midfielder from North Macedonia has signed with the DFB-Pokal winners until 2028 and is expected to fill the void left by fan favourite Emil Forsberg, who left for New York Red Bulls. According to information from the German website Kicker, the transfer fee is around $25 million. Elmas underwent his medical check-up in Leipzig last Saturday and signed the negotiated contract. However, the official announcement was delayed because the Italian champion intended to announce the deal after Christmas.The pic of Eljif #Elmas’ signing with #Leipzig. Contract until 2028. Deal completed by the agent George Gardi. #transfers pic.twitter.com/z1WDsVOGAn— Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) December 27, 2023 Standing 1.82 meters tall and versatile, Elmas transferred from Fenerbahce to Napoli for around $18 million in July 2019 and was an absolute regular until only a few months ago. However, after the resignation of head coach Luciano Spalletti, Elmas struggled under the tenure of Rudi Garcia, who was in office for only five months, and his successor, Walter Mazzarri. He started in only four out of 16 competitive matches this season, which led him to decline to extend his contract with Napoli, initially valid until 2025. He was recently sidelined due to a hamstring muscle injury.Elmas played a total of 189 competitive games for Napoli, scoring 19 goals and providing eleven assists, which, compared to Forsberg, is a moderate number of scoring points. The Swede alone marked 86 scoring points (40 goals, 46 assists) in 197 Bundesliga appearances.”It is an absolute dream for me to move to the Bundesliga and now play for RB Leipzig. The club stands for a special type of football with pressing, speed, and a lot of attacking power – it fits perfectly with me. The conversations with coach Marco Rose quickly made me want to play for this club.” ##NAJAVA_MECA_7764836##Elmas is expected to start his duties next Tuesday when the team heads to their training camp in La Manga.
