‘He won’t come as a gift’ – Frankfurt sporting director reacts to transfer speculation linking Orban to Eagles

Gift Orban has failed to score in his last four appearances for Gent, after starting the season impressively with 6 goals in 6 games

Eintracht Frankfurt sporting director Markus Krosche has reacted to recent speculation linking Nigerian striker Gift Orban with a move to the club in the January 2024 transfer window, Soccernet.ng reports.

Frankfurt are thought to be looking for a replacement for striker Kolo Muani, who returned to France to join Paris Saint-Germain in the summer transfer window for a reported fee close to £95m.

Following the Frenchman’s sale, the Eagles have struggled in front of goal in the early stage of the season as evidenced by their 4 goals in 4 Bundesliga games, and are missing a recognized number 9 in their attack.

A recent report suggests that they have identified Gent striker Gift Orban as a potential reinforcement to solve their attacking woes when the window reopens in January 2024.

Orban was heavily linked with a move from the KAA Gent Arena during the summer transfer window, with Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur reportedly making contact with the Nigerian forward’s camp, but a deal did not happen, with the North London club instead choosing to sign Brennan Johnson from Nottingham Forest.

When asked about the recent report linking Orban to the Eagles, sports director Markus Krosche said: There are a lot of interesting players, as quoted by sge4ever.de

He won’t come as a gift, referring to Orban’s first name 

Replying to a fan in a comment on Instagram, President Peter Fischer said: A striker is coming in winter 

The 21-year-old started the season in impressive form, netting 6 goals in his first 6 games, but has failed to find the back of the net in his last 4 outings.

He was missing from his team’s 1-1 Europa Conference League opener against Ukrainian side FK Zorya Luhansk on Thursday through injury, a competition he has thrived in, having scored the fastest hat trick in the Europe third-tier competition in 205 seconds of Gent second-leg Round of 16 tie against Istanbul Basaksehir last campaign.

Orban was called up to the Super Eagles squad by head coach Jose Peseiro in the last International break but failed to play due to an injury, in what would have been his maiden appearance for Nigeria.