SC Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu is reportedly hoping to receive a transfer bid from Chelsea or another major club as his future with the Bundesliga side remains uncertain. The 24-year-old Germany international is coming off his third season as Freiburg’s first-choice goalkeeper, but has been informed by the club that he will not play again following a disagreement over contract negotiations.
Atubolu progressed through the youth ranks at Freiburg, becoming a regular in the first team and earning praise for his development despite early errors. He has been seeking a move this summer, but has been selective in considering potential destinations, a stance that has frustrated Freiburg, who have already secured Werder Bremen’s Mio Backhaus as a replacement. According to Sky Germany, Atubolu has already turned down offers, while BILD reports he currently has no formal proposals.
The situation has escalated to the point where BILD claims Freiburg are prepared to take drastic measures, effectively ostracizing Atubolu, whose contract expires next year. This represents Freiburg’s final opportunity to recoup a transfer fee for the player, after months of unsuccessful attempts to agree a contract extension. Atubolu’s reluctance to negotiate was reportedly motivated by his desire to join a larger club.
Chelsea have been specifically mentioned as a potential suitor, with reports suggesting manager Xabi Alonso is seeking a more reliable goalkeeper than Robert Sanchez. While Aston Villa and Liverpool have also been named as possible destinations, the latter are expected to retain Alisson. Analytics firm SciSports suggests Atubolu could represent an upgrade on Sanchez, citing his age and potential despite the Chelsea keeper’s current higher SciSkill rating. However, SciSports also acknowledges Atubolu still exhibits occasional errors in his game.
Chelsea are also considering other goalkeeping options, including Strasbourg’s Mike Penders and Reims’ Ewen Jaouen. Penders has already toured Chelsea’s training facilities, while Jaouen could potentially be a replacement for Penders at Strasbourg. Atubolu’s contract situation and potential make him a potentially cost-effective option for Chelsea, but the club would need to demonstrate faith in his development, similar to the support Freiburg provided earlier in his career.
