As Eintracht's sporting director, Markus Krösche is responsible for his fifth transfer period in Frankfurt this summer - and if the omens are not deceiving in mid-May, it will be a particularly varied and therefore work-intensive time window for him and the Hessians in terms of player changes (arrivals and departures). Last season's Europa League winners are facing a major upheaval. As things stand, up to eleven professionals could leave the cup finalists.
Jörg Daniels
Editor in the sports editorial department
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Facts have already been created with Daichi Kamada and Almamy Touré: The Japanese Kamada did not accept the offer to extend his contract and is looking for a new challenge in European football. The Frenchman Touré, a second-row player in terms of status, is said to have disagreed with salary losses, which is why Eintracht will also part ways after this season by decision.
Sow flirts with England
The intention to join bigger clubs in the near future is said to be Evan Ndicka, Djibril Sow and Jesper Lindström. For the Frenchman Ndicka, whose contract ends at the end of June 30, Eintracht would not get a transfer to their annoyance. For the Swiss Sow (contract until mid-2024) and the Dane Lindström (mid-2026), on the other hand, the host clubs would have to make handsome payments. The midfielder Sow and the attacking force Lindström are apparently both flirting with a lucrative job in England.
The two strikers Rafael Borré and Lucas Alario, who are dissatisfied with their subordinate roles in Frankfurt, could also change. Substitute goalkeeper Diant Ramaj would also like to see more match practice. And the Brazilian central defender Tuta was not able to develop as desired, taking into account the high demands. In addition, the future of Ansgar Knauff, who plays for Frankfurt on loan until the end of the season, still needs to be clarified.
120 million for Kolo Muani
Eintracht's trump card in the transfer market is Randal Kolo Muani. The difference-maker and sky-striker with 14 Bundesliga goals scored and 14 assists – which makes the Frenchman the top scorer in the ranking – has aroused the interest of top clubs in European football with his special position in attack. The prominent list of premium clubs dealing with Kolo Muani includes Paris St. Germain, Manchester United, Chelsea FC and Bayern Munich.
If the 24-year-old France international could not be kept, Frankfurt would at least want to be paid handsomely for their farewell pain. There is talk of a transfer fee of up to 120 million euros for their new megastar, who has shot himself up into the spotlight. With revenues of this dimension, Eintracht could afford three or four players in the price segment of 15 to 20 million euros, if they wanted.
It is the business model of the Hessians to discover professionals with great prospects and then to develop and shape them in such a way that they become the focus of well-known clubs with corresponding purchasing power. As a reinforcement, the Frankfurters have Hugo Ekitiké from Paris St. Germain in mind. The 20-year-old attacker had been loaned by the Parisians from Stade Reims before the season. According to French media reports, a purchase obligation for Ekitiké in the amount of over 30 million euros will soon take effect.
Paris could then transfer the attacker to Eintracht on loan, and the Germans could possibly secure a purchase option. Krösche recently met with Parisian sporting director Luís Campos. One topic of the conversation was probably 18-year-old El Chadaille Bitshiabu. The talented defender, who has made eleven appearances in France's first division so far, can well imagine Eintracht in their first division squad for the coming season.
Focus on Dembelé
In the event of Kolo Muani's departure, Moussa Dembelé from Olympique Lyon is also among the possible Frankfurt arrivals; the 26-year-old centre-forward is on a free transfer and has scored three goals in his 23 appearances so far in the Ligue 1 season. He is also said to be courted by other Bundesliga clubs.
Eintracht have already signed central defender Willian Pacho from Royal Antwerp. The attacking versatile Omar Marmoush, who comes from VfL Wolfsburg, can play in the position of Jesper Lindström. At least one new central defender and a right wing-back are still looking for the Frankfurters. In addition, depending on the situation on the departure side, there could be two players for central midfield and at least two attackers.
However, Krösche does not want to be disturbed by Frankfurt's possible XXL upheaval. When it comes to putting the personnel puzzle together in the upcoming transfer window, he thinks he is on the right track. At the start of preparations for the 2023/2024 season, probably at the beginning of July, the basic structure of the new team should be in place, which will then be led by a new coach instead of Oliver Glasner.