Eintracht Frankfurt’s Sporting Director, Markus Krosche, has addressed recent speculation surrounding Nigerian striker Gift Orban. The forward, who has been plying his trade at Gent, has garnered attention from Frankfurt following a strong start to the season, MySportDab reports
Gift Orban’s early-season form saw him score an impressive six goals in his first six appearances for Gent. However, the striker has faced a dry spell recently, failing to find the back of the net in his last four outings.
This dip in form coincided with Frankfurt’s need for a replacement following the departure of Kolo Muani to Paris Saint-Germain in a high-profile transfer valued at nearly £95 million.
The Eagles have experienced a goal drought in the early stages of the season, scoring just four goals in four Bundesliga games.
The absence of a recognized number 9 in their attack has prompted the club to explore options in the upcoming transfer window.
Recent reports have linked Gift Orban with a potential move to Frankfurt in January 2024. The Nigerian forward was previously the subject of interest from Tottenham Hotspur during the summer transfer window, but a deal did not materialize, with the Premier League club opting to sign Brennan Johnson from Nottingham Forest instead.
When questioned about the speculations surrounding Orban, Markus Krosche commented, “There are a lot of interesting players. He won’t come as a gift,” humorously referencing Orban’s first name.
Adding to the intrigue, President Peter Fischer responded to a fan’s inquiry on Instagram by stating, “A striker is coming in winter,” hinting at Frankfurt’s intentions to bolster their attacking lineup.
Despite his recent goal drought, Orban has shown his prowess in European competitions, particularly in the Europa Conference League.
Last season, he made history by scoring the fastest hat-trick in the competition, achieving this feat in just 205 seconds during Gent’s Round of 16 tie against Istanbul Basaksehir.
Moreover, Gift Orban’s potential move to Eintracht Frankfurt could mark a significant moment for his international career.
He was called up to the Super Eagles squad by head coach Jose Peseiro during the last international break but was unable to make his debut for Nigeria due to injury, a moment he may look forward to in the near future.