Junior Dina Ebimbe’s potential transfer to Schalke 04 is now uncertain after Eintracht Frankfurt manager Adi Hütter indicated a desire to keep the player at the club, according to reports. Ebimbe was reportedly close to completing a permanent move to the newly-promoted Bundesliga side following a successful loan spell with Brest last season, but a change in management at Frankfurt appears to have altered the situation.
Eintracht Frankfurt sporting director Markus Krösche had previously been actively pursuing a permanent deal for Ebimbe after his loan stint in France, where he featured regularly. Schalke 04 emerged as strong contenders, reaching a total agreement with the player, but Hütter’s arrival has prompted a re-evaluation of Ebimbe’s role within the Frankfurt squad. The Austrian coach has already provided Ebimbe with playing time during the early stages of pre-season preparation.
The key to Ebimbe remaining at Frankfurt hinges on contract negotiations, as his current deal is set to expire at the end of the 2024-25 season. Without an extension, the club risks losing the former Paris Saint-Germain player on a free transfer. Ebimbe enjoyed a productive spell at Frankfurt during the 2023/24 campaign, establishing himself as a versatile option for the team.
Ebimbe joined PSG’s youth academy in 2013 and made his first team debut in 2021, but struggled to become a regular starter. His loan to Brest provided him with consistent playing time, which he carried into his performances for Frankfurt. Should Ebimbe sign a new contract, he could become a key component of Hütter’s midfield, offering tactical flexibility and depth. The situation leaves Schalke searching for alternative midfield targets as they prepare for their return to the Bundesliga.
