Updated 26 Aug 2023 6:17 pm:
Liverpool are considering making an offer for North Macedonian, Eljif Elmas, World In Sport understands.
Liverpool have endured a somewhat frustrating Summer thus far, largely due to the unexpected and unplanned departures of Both Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to the Riches of the Saudi League.
A very public courtship of both Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia ended in sour fashion, with Chelsea gazumping the Reds in both deals. Liverpool responded with the rather unexpected signing of VfB Stuttgart midfielder Wataru Endo. The 30-year-old Japan star signing a 4-year deal at Anfield.
The deal for Endo was received with a mixed response, some were delighted that there was now cover in the number 6 spot, while others were underwhelmed by the club’s choice to move for the relatively unknown midfielder.
6 days remain of the window, and Liverpool has put a lot of leg work into trying to recruit an additional, multifunctional, midfielder. Ryan Gravenberch has become a primary target, with Bayern considering allowing the Dutchman to move on. Liverpool are seemingly not putting all their eggs in one basket, with the club assessing alternative options on the market. One that is now being further considered is Napoli star, Eljif Elmas.
Liverpool have been linked with prior interest in the Midfielder, with reports suggesting Klopp had held direct conversations with the player. Italian reporter, Fabrizio Romano, via his YouTube channel, spoke with the player’s agent relating to interest in his client.
“One of your players who did very well at Napoli, Elif Elmas he did very well, won the title after 33 years at Napoli, doing an excellent job really,” began the journalist.
“He’s a player who’s always in the rumours. We heard something about Liverpool, about Newcastle recently. I wanted to ask you if there’s anything concrete with Liverpool and Newcastle as they were linked to the player. And how’s the general situation of Eljif, who’s doing very, very well at Napoli.”
The player’s agent responded with “I think this player’s a bit underestimated because he’s a young player that has a lot of experience in the national team, He’s been playing for four seasons already at a high level. There’s a lot of interest in him because he’s very versatile on the field, he plays in three, or four positions. He’s a player with a big personality and a big future.
With the new coach of Napoli, there will be some evaluations, and we will understand if they still believe in the player. If not we will find a solution because he has interest not only interest from the Premier League, as you said, but also in Spain and German clubs.”
The North Macedonian has experienced a huge upward trajectory and in a short space of time, joined Fenerbahçe from his Youth setup at Rabotnicki Skopje in 2017, and then only 2 years later joined Napoli in a deal worth a reported €16 million.
Elmas enjoyed a stellar 22-23 campaign, resulting in 47 appearances and 6 six goals, in a campaign that saw Napoli win the Serie A for the first time in 33 years.
Napoli is keen to renew the midfielder’s contract, however the player, following reports on interest elsewhere, is reluctant to extend his stay with the Italian Champions, and with the 23-year-old deal said to expire in the summer of 2024, this has given Liverpool enough to potentially enquire about requirements of any deal from Napoli.
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