The agent of Eintracht Frankfurt goalkeeper Michael Zetterer has firmly denied rumours of a transfer to Leeds United. Nico Pellatz said that a move for the 28-year-old is currently not an option and that recent reports are inaccurate.
This statement comes after rumours this week claimed advanced negotiations were taking place between Leeds and Eintracht. It was suggested Zetterer would move to the Premier League to serve as backup to first-choice keeper James Trafford. Pellatz countered: "We are very surprised by reports that Michael Zetterer is about to move. These do not correspond to the truth."
What is Eintracht Frankfurt's goalkeeper situation?
The goalkeeper position remains one of the biggest sporting challenges for Eintracht. In the DFB-Pokal first-round match against St. Tönis on Friday, Kaua Santos is expected to start. The Brazilian is under particular scrutiny, however, after conceding seven goals in a recent friendly against FC Brentford and showing weaknesses. Santos has displayed inconsistencies in the past.
According to our squad overview, Eintracht Frankfurt currently has three goalkeepers under contract. Besides Zetterer and Santos, young Daniel Batz is also part of the squad. The search for a long-term number one is therefore a central issue. The upcoming competitive matches, including the Bundesliga opener, can be viewed on our fixtures page.
Who is the desired target for the goal?
Noah Atubolu remains Eintracht's desired solution. The 24-year-old is himself experiencing a turbulent transfer summer. After parting ways with his agency, he is seeking a new club, as a future at SC Freiburg is ruled out. Atubolu had rejected a contract extension there. His Freiburg contract runs until 2027.
Atubolu's original goal was a move to the Premier League, ideally to a club with European ambitions. Aston Villa was mentioned as an interested party. There, however, Emiliano Martínez remains the clear first choice, and concrete interest from England has so far been absent. His current market value is estimated at around 8 million euros.
What does this mean for the upcoming matches?
The unclear situation in goal raises questions for the immediate future. For the cup match on Friday, coach Dino Toppmöller will initially rely on Kaua Santos. The Brazilian's performance will be closely analysed, as Eintracht pursues ambitious goals in the Bundesliga. The team finished in a European qualification spot in the previous season's standings.
The transfer window still offers an opportunity to resolve the personnel matter. If neither a solution for Zetterer nor for Atubolu materialises, the Eintracht management must decide whether to start the season with the current options or act late in the market. The next opportunity for Michael Zetterer to play is the Bundesliga home match on 13 September.
