Freiburg eye permanent move for former youth player Engelhardt
SC Freiburg are interested in signing midfielder Yannick Engelhardt on a permanent deal from Italian side Como 1907 this summer, according to a report from Sky Germany. The 25-year-old German is currently on loan at Borussia Mönchengladbach, but that arrangement does not include an option to buy and is set to conclude at the end of the season.
Freiburg's interest is reportedly linked to the anticipated departure of one of their key assets. The Breisgau-based club are believed to be preparing for the potential exit of Swiss international Johan Manzambi, who has attracted attention from several major European clubs including Paris Saint-Germain, Bayer Leverkusen, and Napoli. Manzambi could command a fee in the region of €60 million, creating both a financial opportunity and a need for squad reinforcement.
Engelhardt is seen as a potential, more defensive-minded addition to Freiburg's midfield ranks. The player is familiar with the club, having spent two years there between 2021 and 2023, though he featured exclusively for the reserve team during that spell and did not break into the first-team setup. Since joining Gladbach on loan, Engelhardt has established himself as a regular in the Bundesliga, making 27 appearances largely as a holding midfielder and contributing two goals and two assists.
His current loan club, Borussia Mönchengladbach, face obstacles in attempting to secure his services permanently. The lack of a purchase option in the loan deal, combined with the club's own acknowledged financial constraints, significantly limits their ability to compete for his signature. This situation opens a clear path for Freiburg to negotiate directly with Como, where Engelhardt remains under contract.
The move would represent a strategic piece of business for Freiburg, aligning with their model of identifying value and planning for key departures in advance. Bringing in a player with Bundesliga experience and a known profile at a likely modest cost would provide squad depth and tactical flexibility. For Engelhardt, a return to Freiburg would offer a chance to finally make his mark at the club where he previously developed, this time with the top-flight experience he has since gained.
