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.
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.
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.
