Official: Atalanta confirm Elmas move in surprising deal with RB Leipzig | OneFootball

Atalanta have surprisingly confirmed Eljif Elmas’ return to Serie A as the ex-Napoli man joins La Dea on loan with an option to buy from RB Leipzig.

North Macedonia international Elmas returns to Serie A, joining Atalanta on an initial loan deal.

Official: Elmas joins Atalanta

It was a surprising deal for La Dea, as no source had previously reported on Atalanta’s talks to sign the ex-Napoli man.

Elmas reunites with Atalanta director Cristiano Giuntoli, with whom he had already worked at Napoli, but will play under Maurizio Sarri for the first time in his career.

Atalanta confirmed with a statement on Saturday that Elmas would join the club on loan with an option to buy, although the transfer fee remains undisclosed.

Elmas has 19 goals and 13 assists in 189 Serie A appearances with Napoli and Torino.

NAPLES, ITALY – NOVEMBER 04: Eljif Elmas of SSC Napoli battles for possession with Nnamdi Collins of Eintracht Frankfurt during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between SSC Napoli and Eintracht Frankfurt at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on November 04, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

He spent six years at Napoli, first from 2019 to 2024 and then in the 2025-26 campaign, when he returned to the Stadio Maradona on loan.

During his time with the Partenopei, Elmas won one Coppa Italia, one Scudetto and one Supercoppa Italiana.