Napoli president confirms deal as Elmas set for Leipzig

RB Leipzig are set to sign North Macedonia Eljif Elmas in January after Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis confirmed the midfielder was leaving.

"He's already sold. He's someone who always wants to play. He hasn't realized that he belongs in our starting XI, even if he doesn't play 90 minutes," De Laurentiis told Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport.

RB Leipzig have not yet confirmed the transfer but media reports say they will do so once a medical is completed at the end of the year.

Elmas will replace Emil Forsberg at the German Cup winners after the Swede celebrated his Bundesliga swansong on Tuesday in the 1-1 draw at Werder Bremen, his 325 competitive game for the club. The 32-year-old is moving to sister club New York Red Bulls.

Elmas, currently injured with a leg problem, played 36 of 38 Serie A games for the Italian champions last season. He moved to southern Italy from Fenerbahce in 2019.

The 24-year-old has played 52 international matches and scored 12 goals for North Macedonia.

Leipzig will travel to a training camp in La Manga, Spain, from January 2-7 before the Bundesliga resumes from its mid-season break on January 13 when they host Eintracht Frankfurt.