RB Leipzig in talks to sign Napoli midfielder Eljif Elmas

RB Leipzig are in talks over a deal worth €25million (£21.5m, $27.4m) for Napoli midfielder Eljif Elmas.

Elmas, 24, has agreed personal terms with Leipzig on a contract until the summer of 2028.

Sources with knowledge of the deal, who spoke on the condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to discuss matters, believe talks are over an initial €24m paid upfront with €1m in potential add-ons.

Leipzig are keen to strengthen their squad in the January transfer window and they had been one of several clubs tracking Granada winger Bryan Zaragoza, who has since agreed a deal to join Bayern Munich.

Marco Rose’s side have advanced through to the Champions League knockout stages and they will play Real Madrid in the last 16. Leipzig are third in the Bundesliga and are seven points off league leaders Bayer Leverkusen.

Several comings and goings are likely at Leipzig in January, with Fabio Carvalho set to rejoin parent club Liverpool before being loaned out once again. Carvalho has started just one Bundesliga match this season and has played just 152 minutes of league action.

Elmas played 36 of Napoli’s 38 Serie A matches last season as they ended their 23-year wait to win the title, although he has started just four games across the side’s league and Champions League campaign to date.

Elmas has scored 12 goals in 52 international caps for North Macedonia and has netted 19 times in 185 appearances for Napoli, whom he joined from Fenerbahce in 2019.

(Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)

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