Super Eagles target’s Premier League dream fails as Freiburg prepare Frankfurt loan solution

SC Freiburg have made a key step towards solving Noah Atubolu's transfer situation, with the Super Eagles-eligible goalkeeper now set to extend his contract before a possible loan move to Eintracht Frankfurt, Soccernet.ng reports.

According to Kicker, Freiburg and Atubolu have reached an agreement in principle on a contract extension. The new deal is designed to make a loan to Frankfurt possible while protecting Freiburg's financial interests.

The 24-year-old, also wanted by Marseille, had been under contract until June 2027. He had rejected an earlier extension because he wanted to leave Freiburg this summer and move to a larger club, with the Premier League his preferred destination. That plan did not work, despite Aston Villa, Bournemouth and Hull City among his reported admirers.

Atubolu entered the summer after three seasons as Freiburg's first-choice goalkeeper. He helped the club reach the 2026 UEFA Europa League final and finished the 2025-26 Bundesliga season with 36 league appearances. He also earned senior Germany call-ups, although he was left out of Germany's 2026 World Cup squad.

Freiburg: Frankfurt move gives Atubolu a way back

The failed Premier League move left Atubolu in a difficult position. Freiburg had already signed Mio Backhaus from Werder Bremen as their new goalkeeper, so Atubolu's route back into the starting XI was blocked.

Eintracht Frankfurt then became a serious option after a 0-7 pre-season loss to Brentford exposed concerns around the goalkeeping position. Frankfurt already have Kaua Santos and Michael Zetterer, but the club have been searching for a clear No. 1.

Freiburg have valued Atubolu at about €15 million. Frankfurt have been reluctant to pay that fee at once, which made a loan model attractive. Reports have pointed to an extension in Freiburg, followed by a loan to Frankfurt, with a possible purchase clause later in the deal.

The move would also give Atubolu regular Bundesliga football instead of spending the season behind Backhaus.

Freiburg coach Julian Schuster opened the door on a possible Atubolu move to Frankfurt after his team's 5-1 DFB-Pokal win at Fortuna Düsseldorf.

“Frankfurt is naturally a very big club in Germany,” Schuster said, adding that it could be an option for Atubolu to play there.

Eligible for both Germany and Nigeria, Atubolu's international status adds another layer. He has registered 22 Germany U21 appearances but has not played a competitive senior match for the former European and world champions, keeping the Super Eagles route open.