West Ham feel true harm of relegation as Noah Atubolu responds to transfer approaches
West Ham United have long been linked with a move for Noah Atubolu.
The Hammers have needed goalkeeper stability for many years after Lukasz Fabianski’s minutes became limited by his age.
That looked to be Alphonse Areola, but he has failed to be consistent throughout his recent spell at the London Stadium, and the same could be said for Mads Hermansen.
The Freiburg man could have made a telling difference for the claret and blue outfit if he had been brought in.
Atubolu is now unlikely to join West Ham as relegation starts to have a detrimental effect in East London.
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Noah Atubolu has offers on the table away from Freiburg
The 24-year-old has been the number one at Europa-Park Stadion for three seasons now as he continues to go from strength to strength.
This season has been yet another successful one for the German as his side reached the Europa League final in Istanbul.
| Stat (Bundesliga 25/26) | Noah Atubolu |
| Appearances | 34 |
| Clean sheets | 6 |
| Goals conceded | 57 |
| Penalty save rate (%) | 100 |
The Breisgau-Brasilianer may have lost 3-0 to Aston Villa, but they can be proud of the achievement in getting to that stage.
That day in Turkiye could prove to be the keeper’s final action with Freiburg, as an exit appears to be on the cards.
Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettengerg reported on Wednesday that Atubolu has multiple offers on the table for a summer move.
Various sides from across England, Italy, Spain, and Germany are interested in his signature and are continuing to monitor his situation.
🚨⏳ Noah Atubolu has offers on the table, but has already turned down concrete proposals. He is waiting for the right challenge.
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) June 3, 2026
Clubs from England, Spain, Italy and the Bundesliga remain interested and are monitoring the situation closely.
Atubolu remains relaxed. His… pic.twitter.com/WnmO2kA4GR
The shot stopper is holding out and has already turned down “concrete proposals” to wait for the right challenge.
Atubolu could well have joined West Ham this summer, but relegation has scuppered any chance of a move.
West Ham to miss out on Atubolu
The Hammers have been linked with the Freiburg man since the days of Tim Steidten.
A transfer hunt was well underway as the keeper was seen as the successor for Fabianski and Areola at the time.
He was scouted for a while at the London Stadium, and a move could have been orchestrated this season if the Irons had remained in the Premier League.
🚨⚒️ Understand West Ham have been scouting Freiburg GK Noah Atubolu as potential future target.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 17, 2024
2002 born goalkeeper is also part of the U21 national team. pic.twitter.com/qAEhKP7i6f
Instead, they will be lining up in the Championship and need to target a different level of player.
That will leave other top sides to make a move for Atubolu and give them a chance to land a top prospect.
If he does go on to be a true star in between the sticks elsewhere, West Ham will always wonder what could have been.