Transfer: Hellas Verona set to beat Toulouse to Nigerian star with four Bundesliga goals

Hellas Verona are close to completing a loan move for Nigerian striker Gift Orban from Bundesliga side Hoffenheim, despite earlier interest from Toulouse, Soccernet.ng reports.

According to reports in Italy, Verona have accelerated talks for the 22-year-old as coach Pablo Zanetti looks to strengthen his squad before the transfer window closes.

Gift Orban, who joined Hoffenheim permanently from Lyon in January, scored four goals in 13 Bundesliga appearances during the second half of last season.

The Nigerian forward was initially linked with a loan return to Ligue 1, with Toulouse pushing for his signature.

However, the French club have cooled their pursuit, leaving Verona in pole position to secure his services.

Get Our Sports News First – Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!

Nigeria’s Gift Orban on the way to Italy

Sky Sports Germany claims the Serie A club are set to finalise the deal in the coming hours, with Orban viewed as a player capable of adding goals and versatility to their front line.

Verona have reportedly reached full agreement with TSG Hoffenheim on a loan with an option to buy.

The Serie A side will cough out a loan fee of €1m, with an option to buy for €9m inserted in the deal. Verona will cover Orban's full salary covered.

The Nigerian forward is on his way for medical tests while documents are now being exchanged between all parties involved.

Verona are also monitoring Boca Juniors playmaker Vicente Taborda and Southampton defender Armel Bella-Kotchap as part of a broader recruitment drive. Zanetti’s side began the 2025/26 Serie A season with a 1-1 draw away at Udinese, a match salvaged by Suat Serdar’s second-half equaliser.

Orban’s short spell in Germany has been mixed. He made a flying start at Hoffenheim, netting four goals in his first seven games, but a run of injuries and inconsistent form saw him finish without any more strikes from his last six appearances.

Left out of the squad for Hoffenheim’s 4-0 DFB-Pokal win over Hansa Rostock earlier this month, his future in the Bundesliga looked increasingly uncertain.

Despite having four years left on his contract, Hoffenheim manager Christian Ilzer has not included Orban in his plans for the new campaign. That has paved the way for Verona to make their move, with the Italian club ready to give the forward a chance to rebuild confidence and consistency in Serie A.

Orban first rose to prominence at Gent before moving to Lyon in 2024, where he scored three times in 16 Ligue 1 outings. His switch to Hoffenheim was expected to be the next step in his career, but just six months later, another loan move now appears imminent.