United line up shock move for Serie A midfield boss, “extreme” twist could fast-track deal – report

Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Napoli midfielder Eljif Elmas, and they’ve received a major lifeline in their pursuit of the player. Midfield reinforcements Heading into the summer transfer window, bolstering the midfield department is believed to be United’s top priority. Last summer, the club spent most of their transfer budget on signing attackers. United secured the services of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko for slightly north of £200m. The club explored a move for Brighton and Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba but they ditched talks after learning the Seagulls’ prohibitive asking price. It’s believed that United remain interested in Baleba but he is not the only player on their transfer wishlist. Other options under consideration are Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Ibrahima Sangare (Nottingham Forest), Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace), Sandro Tonali (Newcastle) and Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle). There have been suggestions that the Red Devils could bring in more than one midfielder, especially with Casemiro set to depart at the end of the season, once his contract expires. Combine that with the uncertainty surrounding Bruno Fernandes’ future and the lack of a breakthrough in talks with Kobbie Mainoo over a new deal, and it makes sense why United are focusing on that part of the pitch. According to Tuttomercatoweb, Elmas is a player United are interested in. United want Elmas Elmas has been a key player for Napoli this season, having returned to the club in September 2025 from RB Leipzig. He has made 36 appearances for the Partenopei across all competitions, contributing one goal and three assists in that period. He was initially brought in to assume an attacking midfield role but injuries to his teammates have forced Antonio Conte to use him across various positions. In addition to the 10, the North Macedonian has also been deployed in central midfield, defensive midfield and even both wings. Elmas is extremely versatile, which adds to his appeal. Tuttomercatoweb claim that United have been “tracking him in recent weeks.” It’s understood that other Premier League clubs could also come into play due to his “extremely low” valuation of €16m. This is the purchase option that was inserted in his deal when he moved to Napoli from Leipzig. Conte’s side may decide to activate it and later move the player on, making a profit without their asking price being too high. Whether or not Napoli decide to exercise this option will likely determine the first move in the situation. Feature image Francesco Pecoraro via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Derick Kinoti Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the Premier League extensively for years. His work blends sharp analysis, tactical insight, and engaging storytelling that resonates with fans around the world. Derick has gained valuable experience in football journalism, developing strong expertise in SEO writing, digital content creation, and social media engagement. A tech enthusiast with a Computer Science degree from the University of Nairobi, he ultimately swapped code for football commentary, bringing an analytical, detail-oriented approach to his writing. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!