Noah Atubolu is reportedly set to extend his contract at SC Freiburg as a loan move to Eintracht Frankfurt gains momentum. WEB.DE reports this development in the final days before Monday's transfer deadline. The former first-choice goalkeeper originally aimed for a move to the Premier League, but Frankfurt has now emerged as the favorite to secure his services. SC Freiburg finished last season in 8th place in the Bundesliga with 40 points from 29 matches.
Why is Atubolu extending his contract?
The planned contract extension is a strategic move to secure a future transfer fee. Eintracht Frankfurt currently cannot afford an outright purchase, according to the reports. A loan deal with an obligation or option to buy in 2027 therefore appears as the most likely model. For SC Freiburg, Atubolu has no future as number one after the signing of Mio Backhaus from Werder Bremen in May. The club prepares for the new season looking to improve upon a negative five goal difference (42 scored, 47 conceded).
What does Eintracht coach Dino Toppmöller say?
Eintracht Frankfurt's 41-year-old coach Dino Toppmöller publicly confirmed interest in such a structure. "What I can confirm is that this can be a model for a future solution," said Toppmöller. He also pointed to increasing pressure as the deadline approaches. "The closer the transfer deadline on Monday gets, the more momentum is behind it," the coach added. Toppmöller indicated that further confirmations could follow in the coming days.
How is SC Freiburg positioned competitively?
SC Freiburg enters the new campaign with a mixed record from the previous season. The team secured eleven wins, seven draws, and eleven losses. While they were not in the title race, finishing 36 points behind champions Bayern Munich, they secured a solid mid-table position. Freiburg's first match of the new Bundesliga season is at home against 15th-placed Werder Bremen on August 30th. You can view the full schedule on our fixtures page.
What does the deal mean for the future?
The potential transaction represents a pragmatic solution for all parties involved. Atubolu gets the chance for more playing time at Eintracht Frankfurt, while SC Freiburg preserves the player's value and secures a future transfer fee. For the Breisgau club, the goalkeeper position is settled for the coming season following the Backhaus signing. You can check the current squad composition in our squad section. This development highlights how clubs find creative ways to facilitate player movement in a challenging transfer market. A decision is expected in the coming days.
