Eintracht Frankfurt Pursues Noah Atubolu Amid Goalkeeping Concerns
Eintracht Frankfurt has reportedly decided to seek a new first-choice goalkeeper following a disappointing pre-season finale against Brentford. According to Kicker, SC Freiburg’s Noah Atubolu has emerged as the club’s preferred candidate for the position. The goalkeeping situation at Frankfurt has been a point of concern throughout the 2025/26 season.
Brazilian keeper Kauã Santos was anticipated to take over from long-serving No.1 Kevin Trapp, but injuries and critical mistakes hindered the 23-year-old’s chances to establish himself in the role. Additionally, Michael Zetterer, who joined from Werder Bremen last summer, has failed to secure the starting position. The humiliating 7-0 defeat against Brentford has prompted management to reconsider their goalkeeping options, with Santos enduring another challenging performance.
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Noah Atubolu emerges as Frankfurt’s preferred solution
Atubolu is viewed as Frankfurt’s “Wunschlösung” (“preferred solution”) for the goalkeeper role. The 24-year-old is under contract with Freiburg until 2027 but has been expected to leave since Mio Backhaus was signed as his potential replacement earlier this summer. The Freiburg academy product had seemed destined for a move abroad, with the Premier League often regarded as Atubolu’s favored destination.
Get German Football News reported last month on Atubolu’s potential Premier League prospects, with clubs like Aston Villa and Bournemouth showing interest in the German youth international. Additionally, FussballTransfers mentions that Italian clubs are also keeping an eye on the goalkeeper. A transfer to Frankfurt could provide Atubolu with the chance to stay in the Bundesliga.
Any move for Atubolu is still in the preliminary stages. However, Kicker indicates that developments may occur swiftly in the upcoming week as Frankfurt aims to correct the significant weaknesses highlighted by their defeat at Brentford. Signing Atubolu would signal a serious commitment by Frankfurt to solidify a position that has been unsettled since Trapp’s exit.
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Frankfurt planning further transfer business
Goalkeeper is not the only position Frankfurt intends to strengthen before the September 1 transfer deadline. Kicker’s evaluation of the squad post-Brentford was quite critical, asserting that Frankfurt currently lacks the quality needed to compete for European qualification.
This summer has already seen the exits of Nathaniel Brown, Rasmus Kristensen, Arnaud Kalimuendo, and Aurele Amenda. New arrivals have needed time to adjust, with midfielder Raphael Onyedika not making the anticipated impact during pre-season, and Noel Aseko still sidelined due to ongoing knee issues.
Concerns persist in the defense, where young centre-back Otavio still needs development, and captain Robin Koch made a costly error against Brentford before departing with a minor concussion. Arthur Theate also faced difficulties during the second half of the match.
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Frankfurt’s young full-backs introduce more uncertainty. Keita Kosugi remains untested at the Bundesliga level, while Elias Baum will also need to take significant steps forward if given a consistent role. The loss at Brentford even raised questions about Adi Hütter’s favored 4-2-2-2 formation.
Potential departures could facilitate last-minute transfers. Elye Wahi remains a candidate for another loan to Nice, Farès Chaïbi has been linked with Crystal Palace, and Michy Batshuayi is reportedly close to joining Saudi club Al-Shabab. Ellyes Skhiri is also a potential transfer target for Cologne.
Zetterer might also find himself moving to England. The future of the 30-year-old could become increasingly uncertain if Frankfurt successfully secures Atubolu as Hütter’s new No.1.
Sporting director Krösche faces a crucial period as the summer window nears its conclusion. Securing Atubolu would address one pressing issue, but the defeat against Brentford highlighted that more work is necessary to enhance Hütter’s squad beyond just the goalkeeper role.
Eintracht Frankfurt have reportedly decided to enter the market for a new first-choice goalkeeper following their disastrous pre-season finale against Brentford. Kicker reports that SC Freiburg keeper Noah Atubolu has emerged as the club’s preferred solution between the sticks. Frankfurt’s goalkeeping situation already generated considerable discussion throughout the 2025/26 campaign.
Brazilian keeper Kauã Santos was expected to succeed long-time No.1 Kevin Trapp, but a combination of injuries and costly errors prevented the 23-year-old from establishing himself. Michael Zetterer, signed from Werder Bremen last summer, similarly failed to make a lasting claim to the starting role. Saturday’s humiliating 7-0 friendly defeat away at Brentford has evidently prompted a rethink. Santos endured another difficult outing in England and kicker now reports that Eintracht have resolved to bring in a new No.1 before the transfer window closes.
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Noah Atubolu emerges as Frankfurt’s preferred solution
Atubolu is described as Frankfurt’s “Wunschlösung” (“preferred solution”) for the position. The 24-year-old remains under contract with Freiburg through 2027, but has been expected to depart the Breisgau club since Mio Backhaus arrived as his prospective successor earlier this summer. The Freiburg academy product had previously appeared destined for a move abroad. The Premier League in particular has long been considered Atubolu’s preferred destination.
Get German Football News reported last month on Atubolu’s potential Premier League options, with Aston Villa and Bournemouth among the clubs linked with the German youth international. FussballTransfers additionally reports that Italian clubs have maintained interest in the keeper. A move to Frankfurt would therefore represent a somewhat surprising opportunity for Atubolu to remain in the Bundesliga.
Any prospective deal remains at a very early stage. Kicker nevertheless suggests that the situation could develop quickly during the coming week as Frankfurt seek to address one of the most obvious weak points exposed by their heavy Brentford defeat. The potential move would also represent a significant statement from Frankfurt. Bringing Atubolu to Hessen would amount to a clear attempt to settle a position that has remained unsettled since Trapp’s departure.
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Frankfurt planning further transfer business
Goalkeeper is not the only position Frankfurt intend to strengthen before the September 1 deadline. Kicker’s assessment of the current squad following the Brentford defeat was particularly severe, with the publication arguing that Frankfurt presently lack the quality required to challenge for European qualification.
The summer has already seen Nathaniel Brown, Rasmus Kristensen, Arnaud Kalimuendo and Aurele Amenda depart. Several incoming players have meanwhile required time to settle. Midfielder Raphael Onyedika has yet to make the desired impact during pre-season, while Noel Aseko has not featured because of persistent knee problems.
Questions also remain throughout the defensive line. Young centre-back Otavio still requires development and match fitness, while captain Robin Koch made a costly mistake in Brentford before leaving the friendly with a minor concussion. Arthur Theate also struggled during the second half of the heavy defeat.
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Frankfurt’s young full-backs provide further uncertainty. Keita Kosugi remains inexperienced at Bundesliga level, while Elias Baum will also be asked to make a considerable step up if entrusted with a regular role. The result in Brentford has even placed Adi Hütter’s preferred 4-2-2-2 under scrutiny.
Several departures could also facilitate late business. Elye Wahi remains a candidate for another loan to Nice, Farès Chaïbi has been linked with Crystal Palace, and Michy Batshuayi is reportedly close to joining Saudi outfit Al-Shabab. Ellyes Skhiri is also a candidate for a move to Cologne.
Zetterer may meanwhile have an opportunity to move to England. The 30-year-old’s future would naturally become even more uncertain should Frankfurt succeed in securing Atubolu as Hütter’s new No.1.
Krösche therefore faces an important final stretch of the summer window. Atubolu would solve one increasingly urgent problem, but Frankfurt’s pre-season finale made clear that the work required to strengthen Hütter’s squad extends well beyond the goalkeeping position.
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