Eljif Elmas will be looking for a new club in the summer and has attracted interest from Aston Villa and Sunderland.
Napoli signed the 26-year-old on loan from RB Leipzig in the summer. The Partenopei had an option to buy him permanently for €17m, having seen him do well in the ongoing campaign.
The midfielder has played 32 times in Serie A, filling in during an injury crisis in the heart of the park. He has also featured out wide and in attacking midfield, contributing to four goals in total.
Sport Witness have covered Manchester United’s interest in the past few months. While that hasn’t taken off, there is certainty that Napoli won’t exercise their option to buy.
Tuttomercatoweb now report about interest from Aston Villa and Sunderland.
Initial contact being made
The report clarifies that Napoli CEO Aurelio De Laurentiis has no intention to exercise the option to buy. Elmas is not part of Leipzig’s plans and this will leave him looking for a new club.
Sunderland have come forward for him in recent days and so have Aston Villa.
The player is keen on playing Champions League football, leaving the Black Cats as an option he isn’t attracted to.
This makes Aston Villa a much more likely option. As a result, Unai Emery’s side will up their efforts, having made enquiries for him already.
Aston Villa clever to pursue move
Elmas is a classic market opportunity and is a very useful player to have in the squad. He can play a variety of positions, contributes to goals often and has a clean fitness record.
That is why Aston Villa would be clever to pursue a move, with Emery no stranger to having versatile players in the squad.
He is only 26 and is unlikely to cost much. While his Leipzig contract runs out in 2028, he isn’t part of their plans and around €17m can prove enough to sign him.
Aston Villa should remain alert to the situation, with Elmas’ technical ability likely to appeal to Emery too.
