Elif Elmas left out of RB Leipzig squad for friendly with Bayern — Napoli renews loan interest

Elif Elmas was not included in RB Leipzig's squad for the friendly against Bayern Munich on August 15, 2026, a development that underlines growing uncertainty about the Macedonian midfielder's future at the German club.

The omission from the matchday group indicates Leipzig currently do not view Elmas as part of their plans. The player remains under contract with RB Leipzig, but sporting decisions at the club have left him searching for a new destination.

Napoli, the club that took Elmas on loan six months ago, is reported to have reopened talks about bringing him back on another temporary deal. Any return to Naples would most likely be another loan, since Elmas' salary and the terms of his contract with RB Leipzig make a permanent transfer difficult for Napoli to finance.

Possible destinations and the market

Other Italian names such as Juventus and Fiorentina have been linked with Elmas for some time, but those interests appear to have cooled as the transfer window progresses. For now, a short-term solution looks likelier than a fully executed sale.

Elmas faces a crossroads in his career: remain at RB Leipzig despite limited opportunities or seek regular playing time elsewhere, most plausibly via a loan that would allow him to rebuild form and market value before the next transfer window.

Photo: press material from the event