Napoli midfielder monitored by Manchester United

Manchester United are still in the process of defining their shortlist for the summer, as the club have two clear priorities before next season.

Firstly is to rebuild their midfield, looking at potentially two key signings with Casemiro confirmed to be leaving Old Trafford.

Secondly is a new left-winger, with the club pivoting to using attacking wingers again in the wake of Ruben Amorim’s sacking.

However, when it comes to their midfield chase, The Red Devils have some priority targets, and some more secondary options emerging.

It’s been well known that the likes of Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton have been key targets for United for some time now, with the pair holding valuations of around £100 million.

As such, The Red Devils are looking at other, cheaper options to also recruit, with the likes of Marcus Tavernier and Ibrahim Sangare joining the list.

Now, TuttoMercatoWeb has reported that one of Napoli’s midfielders has been monitored by United over recent weeks, however the situation is a little complicated.

The report explains that United have been keeping an eye on Eljif Elmas who’s been holding strong in the central and attacking midfield roles.

The 26-year-old has made 36 appearances so far, helping them win the Supercoppa Italiana and hold third place in Serie A.

However, the Macedonia international is currently only on loan with Napoli, having joined them from parent club RB Leipzig.

The Italian side reportedly have an optional buy clause in the contract for the summer, with his transfer fee understood to be set at just under £14 million.

Unfortunately for United this would seemingly hinge on Napoli’s future plans for the midfielder who already played for them before joining Leipzig.

Eljif Elmas joined Napoli first in 2019 from Fenerbahce for £15 million before leaving to Leipzig in 2024 for £21 million.

However,  his time with the German side has been dominated by loan spells with Torino and now Napoli.

As such, it’s clear, along with the buy-clause, that Leipzig have no long-term plans for the midfielder, leaving Napoli as United’s main barrier.