Frankfurt join Marseille in pursuit of Nigeria-eligible keeper Atubolu

Eintracht Frankfurt are considering 24-year-old SC Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu as they review their options for the position. Marseille have already seen a bid for the Nigeria-eligible player rejected by Freiburg, with interest also coming from Napoli and Juventus.

Frankfurt currently have Kaua Santos and Michael Zetterer under contract, but Atubolu has emerged as another possibility. The goalkeeper’s situation has attracted attention from several clubs, while his preference is understood to be a move to the Premier League.

Aston Villa and Bournemouth have also been linked with Atubolu. His Freiburg contract runs until 2027, and the expected transfer value has been placed between €25 million and €30 million.

Atubolu joined Freiburg’s youth system in 2015 and made his senior debut during the 2022-23 season. He has since established himself as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper and had made 94 Bundesliga appearances by May 2026.

His 2025-26 season increased his profile. Atubolu played in Freiburg’s run to the Europa League final, which ended with a 3-0 defeat by Aston Villa on May 20. He also featured in both legs of the club’s 5-2 aggregate victory over Genk in the round of 16.

The goalkeeper is registered by Freiburg as both German and Nigerian, making his club decision relevant to Nigeria’s long-term goalkeeping plans. He has played for Germany from Under-17 through Under-21 level and received senior call-ups, but he was not included in Germany’s 2026 World Cup squad.

Marseille enter the transfer discussion after an uneven run of results: defeats by Nice and Nantes, victories over Rennes and Le Havre, and a 1-1 draw with Nice. Their next Ligue 1 fixture is at home against Strasbourg on August 21, 2026.