Fenerbahce have confirmed that Napoli have sealed a move for their midfielder Eljif Elmas during this ongoing summer transfer window. Calcio Napoli 24 claimed earlier this summer that Tottenham Hotspur were prepared to offer £17m plus Vincent Janssen in exchange of the Macedonian talent in this off-season.
It seems like Spurs have missed out on the Turkish Super Lig talent which will be a bitter pill to swallow for them ahead of the new campaign.
The Rapid Rise Of Eljif Elmas In Turkish Football
The Skopje-born prospect began his playing career in Turkey for Rabotnicki before his high-profile switch to Fenerbahce in the summer of 2017. Elmas has gradually established himself as a regular starter in the Turkish outfit’s first-team. He had already put in some impressive performances at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium under Ersun Yanal’s stewardship last season.
The 19-year-old made 40 appearances for Fenerbahce last season, scoring four goals in all competitions. He has also featured in 11 international matches for North Macedonia thus far and has two goals to his name for his country.
What Are The Macedonia Midfield Ace’s Strengths And Weaknesses?
Elmas is not afraid to test the keeper from long range as evidenced by his tally of 1.6 shots per game in the Turkish top-flight last season (stats via whoscored). He can also open up a rigid defence with decisive through-pass in the final third.
However, the North Macedonia prospect has been guilty of throwing away possession at the centre of the park. So he might not have been the best fit for Pochettino’s style of play in North London.
Losing The Race For Elmas: Big Blow For Spurs?
Spurs need to go for more proven talents if they are to catch up with Manchester City and Liverpool at the top of English football. However, missing out on Elmas will be a huge blow for Tottenham as he would have significantly improved the quality of Pochettino’s squad. At 19, the Macedonia youngster has shown that his game is getting better with each campaign. He is also versatile enough to feature in central midfield or operate on the left flank if required.
