Marseille see first offer for Super Eagles target Atubolu rejected

Olympique Marseille have had their opening offer for SC Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu rejected after the German club judged the bid too low. Freiburg are willing to discuss a transfer for the 24-year-old, but are seeking a fee in the region of €15 million to €20 million.

Marseille are expected to return with an improved proposal as they weigh whether to meet Freiburg’s valuation. Atubolu’s contract in Germany runs until June 2027, giving Freiburg the option of keeping him for another season or selling now for a significant fee before he enters the final year of his deal.

The goalkeeper is also attracting interest from England and Italy. AFC Bournemouth, Napoli and Juventus have all been linked with him, although none of those clubs had submitted a formal offer to Freiburg when Marseille’s initial bid was turned down. Napoli have made the strongest move outside France, with Atubolu’s representatives holding talks in Italy involving Napoli and Juventus.

Atubolu has spent his development years at Freiburg after joining the academy in 2015. He progressed from the Under-14 side to Freiburg II, where he helped the team secure promotion to Germany’s third tier, before earning first-team opportunities and establishing himself as a Bundesliga goalkeeper.

Born in Germany to a Nigerian father, Atubolu can represent either Germany or Nigeria. He has played for Germany at youth level and was included in the country’s senior squad last year, but he has not yet made his international debut. Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle continues to monitor his situation ahead of Nigeria’s preparations for the 2030 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Marseille’s recent five-match form stands at two wins, two defeats and one draw. They beat Rennes 3-1 and Le Havre 1-0, lost 3-0 to Nice and Nantes, and drew 1-1 with Nice. Their next listed fixture is at home to Strasbourg in Ligue 1 on August 21, 2026.